how to get rid of earwigs on dahlias

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How to Get Rid of Earwigs on Dahlias (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Flowers)

So, you’ve got beautiful dahlias—vibrant, full of life, and unfortunately, now full of earwigs. Nothing ruins a garden glow-up like finding your prized blooms turned into an all-you-can-eat buffet for these pincer-happy pests. Don’t worry, though. We’ve got the battle plan to send those earwigs packing—without turning your garden into a chemical war zone.

🌼 Why Do Earwigs Love Dahlias So Much?

Dahlias are like the VIP lounge for earwigs. Here’s why:

  • Soft petals = easy snacking
  • Dense foliage = perfect hiding spots
  • Moist soil = bug spa day

Earwigs are nocturnal freeloaders, munching on your flowers at night and disappearing by sunrise like tiny plant vampires.

🚫 How to Get Rid of Earwigs on Dahlias (Step-by-Step)

🪤 1. Set the Ultimate Earwig Trap (Bug Happy Hour)

Earwigs love tight, dark spaces. Use that against them:

  • Roll up a damp newspaper or a piece of corrugated cardboard.
  • Place it near your dahlias in the evening.
  • By morning, it’s an earwig motel—check-out time = pest eviction.
  • Shake them into a bucket of soapy water for a quick goodbye.

(Bonus tip: If this feels too personal, imagine them as tiny plant criminals being arrested.)

🧂 2. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth (AKA Bug Kryptonite)

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder made from fossilized algae. Sounds fancy, but it’s basically like walking barefoot on LEGOs for bugs.

  • Sprinkle it around the base of your dahlias and on the soil.
  • It dehydrates and kills earwigs without harming your plants.

Just remember: Reapply after rain. Wet DE = sad, ineffective powder.

💧 3. Fix the Moisture Problem (Earwigs Love It Damp)

Earwigs thrive in moist environments. Reduce their cozy conditions:

  • Water in the morning so the soil dries out by night.
  • Avoid overwatering—dahlias don’t like soggy feet, and neither should you.
  • Mulch smartly: Use dry mulch like cedar chips, which repels moisture-loving pests.

🌙 4. Night Patrol (If You’re Feeling Brave)

Earwigs are night owls. If you’re not afraid of the dark (or bugs):

  • Grab a flashlight.
  • Head outside after sunset.
  • Handpick the culprits and drop them into soapy water.

Is it glamorous? No. Is it satisfying? Oh yes.

🐜 5. Natural Predators = Free Pest Control

Encourage beneficial insects to do the dirty work:

  • Birds, toads, and ground beetles love snacking on earwigs.
  • Add bird feeders, small water features, or native plants to attract natural predators.

Basically, turn your garden into an earwig-themed episode of Survivor. Only the plants will win.

🚫 6. Skip the Harsh Chemicals (Seriously, Don’t Nuke Your Garden)

While pesticides can kill earwigs, they also harm:

  • Beneficial insects (like bees and ladybugs)
  • Your plants
  • The environment

Stick with eco-friendly methods unless the infestation is out of control—then consider targeted, plant-safe insecticides as a last resort.

🌱 How to Prevent Earwigs from Coming Back

  • Keep the garden tidy: Remove dead leaves and plant debris.
  • Seal hiding spots: Check pots, garden beds, and under rocks.
  • Barrier protection: Create physical barriers with copper tape or petroleum jelly around dahlia stems. (It’s like bug-proofing with style.)

🤔 Tired of Playing Bug Bouncer?

Click here to learn more about earwig control—and how to keep your garden pest-free year-round.