I have a big problem with ear wigs eating my zinnias. I tried dust, bugs spray but no luck. Please let me know what can I used to get rif of this pest.
Thank you
A.O.
This is an easy one. There are many insects that will target specific plants for a wide range of reasons. There are two approaches which work well on this pest; one is the direct “spray” method and the other is a baiting program.
If you prefer to spray, the strongest option would be a 1-2 punch. First, set out BIFEN GRANULES on the ground under the zinnias as well as around all the turf in the area. Don’t just treat the flower bed but instead cover a good 5,000 sq/ft area. Next, spray over the top with the CONQUER EC making sure to get the plants good and soaked. This insures no earwigs will be missed while hiding in the plant leaves, stems and flower buds. This is something earwigs do well and can many times escape the treatment altogether.
The organic equivalents to these two pesticides will be gentler but they won’t last as long. In place of the Bifen you can apply some ECO GRANULES and in place of the Conquer, spray some BUG PATROL. Both will take care of this pest just as fast but they won’t last as long so try and treat at least once a month to insure they don’t return. If you use the Bifen and Conquer, you’ll be able to space out applications to every 2-3 months.
The second method involves nothing but a bait. NIBAN FG can be sprinkled on the flower buds and around the plants directly on and throughout the flower bed. It’s got boron as the active and earwigs love the stuff. They’ll readily consume it and within a day or two die after eating it. The bait is highly effective on crickets, roaches, ants and earwigs. But you can’t use it where you want to spray so you must choose one or the other. Baiting is probably easier to do but you will have to wait a lot longer to get results compared to spraying. Also, the bait can be contaminated by other factors like rain so if you’re irrigating your flowers regularly, be sure to renew the bait more often. The spray options will hold up better to regular watering schedules so be sure to take this into consideration when choosing.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Bifen Granules: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page591.html
Conquer EC: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page586.html
ECO Granules: http://www.non-toxic-pest-control.com/granules/eco-exempt-granules
Bug Patrol: http://www.non-toxic-pest-control.com/concentrates/bug-patrol-rts
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