Earwig control

[utah]

I have many of my orchids outside and I just split and re-potted two cymbidiums this evening. Both were splitting apart their pots and the medium was really deteriorated. Anyway, when I was separating them and cleaning off the roots I found a bunch of earwigs in both mediums. I washed off all of them and hit the roots with a strong blast of water to dislodge any eggs.

Anyway, I went from two large pots of cymbidiums to five (with fresh medium). However, since they are outside, I'm afraid there will be more infestations so . . . is there anything that I can use to kill off earwigs in potting medium?

It also needs to be safe because I have dogs (including two very curious puppies). The puppies don't eat the orchids but I don't want to poison them or the ground around the plants they may dig in.



Thanks!

[Bird Song Farm]

So glad you asked this question as I have enough earwigs around here to supply the world!
For foliage treatment I use a dish soap/water spray, works great and is non-poisonous to anything, but I've never dared to 'water' with it.
Will be looking forward to the responses.
Al

[Dorothy]

Perhaps this recently past thread will help - http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-dry-bugs.html
I totally dislike earwigs

[Bird Song Farm]

Thanks Dorothy,
Will give a couple of the suggestions a try. The postal person will appreciate it as the mailbox is a favorite place............gross!!
Al

[smweaver]

A mild insecticidal soap (the Safer's brand is one, but I know there are others) should do the trick. Since it's not got much residual effectiveness (which is good for both the environment and your dogs), it's necessary for it to actually make contact with the earwigs in order to kill them. And it won't harm your orchids, even as a drench. I've poured it into many orchid pots over the years without killing the roots or setting back the plants. What I like to do is first hold the plant up and squirt a stream of the soap through each of the bottom drainage holes (cutting off any possible retreats for the nasty bugs), then put the plant into a saucer and liberally pour the soap over the top of the potting mix. That way you'll be sure to get most, if not all, of the earwigs, and the saucer will catch any of the soap in case you're worried about it going anywhere other than the pot that you're treating. Good luck!

Steve

[utah]

Thank you so much! I'll try it tonight! Earwigs beware!