Optimal Conditions
Wet, cooler conditions, when there is a lot of dead or decomposing materials for them to feast on
Signature
Irregular holes and jagged edges on the edge of leafy green foliage, in particular that of lettuce and flowers
Prevention
Keep your garden hygienic as the main food for earwigs is dead or decomposing plant matter.
Coping
Damage is usually minimal and semi-mature plants will have enough foliage that they won’t make much of an impact. If you notice damage on your younger seedlings, collars around them will offer protection.
Eradicating
You can make pit traps using olive or vegetable oil and soy sauce. Use a plastic container and add equal parts of the two ingredients, securing a lid that has been punched with holes – roughly 5–10 mm - in diameter. Bury the container in the soil near where you’ve noticed damage, leaving the lid at ground level. The soy sauce attracts the earwigs, and the oil prevents them from escaping.
