I'll be watching this thread because I have the same problem. Every year they shred my clematis. No daylilies up yet so no problem there yet but I expect that will happen to. Hopefully someone can give us a tip. Marg

Well, I am just sick of them, so far nothing on the daylilies, but they have shredded my coneflowers and my balloon flowers, got to a dahlia too!!! I was putting out damp cereal boxes with the lids open, supposedly the earwigs will go in the box and are too stupid to get out. OK , so it did capture a few, but not as much as I wanted it to. so i got really mad and just sprayed the balloon flowers with insecticidal soap, the brand was Garden Safe, will it worked well enough, but only for one night!! The next night they were back for round two, I don't think I can go on spraying the plants every single night. I had a recipe that involved Listerine mouthwash, but that was to spray around doors and windows to keep them out of your house, don't think that would be good for plants. so I have empty cereal boxes laying around, I did put a heavy stone in each, so they don't blow away, and I try to remember to spray them with water, cause I guess they have to be damp to be an attractive house for the earwigs. I also hope someone else has a better solution Yikes, I hate them, cindy

Try the web site thriftyfun.com for controlling earwigs organically = basically it says to control the pests the earwigs eat (they also eat plants) such as aphids so they won't be attracted to the plant. Also they don't like to cross rough surfaces so put sawdust or ashes around the plants.

I had them last year and sprinkled Sevin Dust around the base of the daylilies, worked pretty good. I've seen a few this year, but not as many. I mulch with bark. I have not got it as thick around plants this year. I have more trouble with the ones in shady areas.

Cindy, when you posted about the dahlias it reminded me about something I read from a grower that had the same problem. First he removed the bottom leaves or 'Ladders' and then he smeared vaseline on the stems. I wonder if smearing vaseline on the scapes would work for daylilies to? If it happens here, I think I will try it. Marg

huh...that doesn't actually sound like a bad idea!I think i'll give that a try!

Dani

I have always heard that if you "livehead" in the evening as opposed to "deadheading" in the early morning, that this will help to keep the earwigs population under control. I always live-head and almost never have a problem w/ earwigs although I know there are some around here!

I've never heard of 'liveheading'. Do you do it that way because earwigs are attracted to the dead flowers?

I agree, the earwigs are horrible this summer! Last year I was relieved to discover that slug baits with iron phosphates in them (like Sluggo) also control earwigs. Sprinkle the pellets around your plants and they'll be protected from both slugs and earwigs for up to 4 weeks (although if you receive a lot of rain you may want to reapply sooner than that). The pellets are safe to use around domestic pets and other animals. I have my annuals and perennials in raised beds, so I also apply the bait around the base of the beds near the grass. Earwigs and slugs like to hide out there during the heat of the day.

Sluggo Plus is recommended for earwigs- it has Spinosad in it. But Spinosad is bad for bees, I just discovered.
Here are some techniques from the CA forum last year, when I had an earwig invasion.
Renee

Here is a link that might be useful: Earwig Invasion!

Alright, this is what I'm trying!

I put some wet mulch (about a 2 foot square) mixed it with sand and them a whole bunch of DE (diamotaceus earth sp?) and lightly mixed. I had a remnant piece of marble that I placed on top. Theory is, they'll go to snoop underneath the marble and get shred to pcs by the sand and DE. Hopefully not just a theory!

Tell you how it goes!

Dani