Earwigs...friend or foe?

[Mulchkin]

My brassica bed is absolutely covered in earwigs - I lifted my first cauliflower today (hooray! ) and around 10 ran away from under it and I found a few in the plant itself. There's no real sign of any damage yet, but as there are so many I wondered if anyone has had any trouble with them? I can't seem to find much info on them.

[chris]

I've not had them cause any (edit: much) damage, if you want to get rid of them an easy way is to stuff a plant pot (3 inch or so) with shredded paper/straw, and pop it upside down on a cane. They'll congregate in it overnight, and then you can dispose of how you please in the morning.

I just find them annoying more than anything, especially when you open up a parasol that's been left outside and hundreds drop on you!

edit: oh I think they munched my sweetcorn silks last year, but didn't really cause that much issue really!

[Lotsaveg]

They will predate on other pests so can be a friend... However, they'll also feed on plants... My aubergines have lots of holes in the growing points thanks to earwigs!

[Florence Fennel]

Haven't had a problem with them on the veg, but they've made a right mess of my dahlias.

[bearded bloke]

When I was a wee lad I sniffed a chrysanthemum & one closed it's pincers,nipping (& holding on) my cheek just under my eye & boy did it hurt

[Aberdeenplotter]

the upside down flowerpot with straw really works.

[Gearoid]

I don't have a problem with them apart from hiding inside my little gem lettuce. They fall out all over the kitchen worktop when I've washed the lettuce for eating!

[sewer rat]

They trashed my aubergines in the tunnel last year - reduced the leaves to lace. Other than that I have suffered very little damage by them, though they do like hiding in Globe Artichokes - not good!

[Shadylane]

Revolting things. They set up house in the garlic stems that were drying in the blowaway last year. Brought em inside to braid and they'd run across the dinner table. Eww. Don't mind most bugs but they creep me out. Still wouldn't wish them harm though, they're fugly but not a major threat.

[Florence Fennel]

They creep me out too. I once dried my mop out overnight outside and when I used it the next day it was absolutely full of the darn things.

[Two_Sheds]

the upside down flowerpot with straw really works.

Or with shredded newspaper.

I can trap them OK, but can anyone tell me how to stamp on them all when they run off in 100 different directions?

They chewed up my sweetcorn last year, made the ends of the cobs rot off. They also congregate in the guinea pig hutch which grosses me out

[rustylady]

Or with shredded newspaper.

I can trap them OK, but can anyone tell me how to stamp on them all when they run off in 100 different directions?

Stop stamping. Light a barbecue, get the coal nice and hot and empty the pot full of newspaper and earwigs onto it. (BTW, you have a chimnea, don't you?)

[jackie j]

My brassica bed is absolutely covered in earwigs - I lifted my first cauliflower today (hooray! ) and around 10 ran away from under it and I found a few in the plant itself. There's no real sign of any damage yet, but as there are so many I wondered if anyone has had any trouble with them? I can't seem to find much info on them.

HAHA I read the tile as FRIED NOT FRIEND LOL

[Flummery]

My Ma hates them. Mr Flum once told her they are very good mothers. She said, 'You can't get round me like that!'

[rustylady]

HAHA I read the tile as FRIED NOT FRIEND LOL

Put your glasses on Jackie