I'm sure you will agree that garden pests can, at times, be maddening. Earwigs are one such pest that have a fancy for dahlias, and while they are not villains (just opportunists looking for sustenance), it can be pretty frustrating when your favorite blooms look more messy and moth-eaten than manicured.
When it comes to knowing how to get rid of earwigs on dahlias, I have a handy hack. Over the years, I’ve tried and tested many natural pest deterrents to control dahlia pests, and this one is up there with the best. Simple, cost-effective, chemical-free, and kind. No killing involved. With just a bit of straw and a well-placed terracotta pot, you can lure earwigs in and rehome them far away from dahlias.
And, the best bit? Earwigs are actually handy little pest controllers themselves, feasting on aphids, blackfly, and various sap-sucking pests you might be suffering from right now. So, before you reach for the chemicals (please don’t), know that there is another way that can limit the damage of dahlia pests this year, and support the wider health of your yard.
How to get rid of earwigs on dahlias
Regardless of where you live or your US hardiness zone, chances are, if you are growing dahlias, you will come across an earwig or two (or maybe hundreds).
Well, you might be wondering how to get rid of earwigs in your yard, and in fact, the best natural pest control methods can sometimes be the simplest, such as this terracotta pot dahlia earwig hack.
Grab a small terracotta pot (available online via Walmart), fill it with dry straw, hay, or even shredded newspaper, and place it upside down on top of a hazel post or bamboo cane, as you can see in the image above. Next, position the little pot in the middle of your dahlias.
These little critters are nocturnal, meaning they will hide when the sun is up, and do their feasting in the midnight hours. But, the hope is that they’ll climb up into your makeshift pot hotel, where they will be easy to spot.
Then, in the morning, you simply lift the pot, relocate its inhabitants elsewhere in the backyard, say, a compost pile or wild patch towards the rear of your garden.
If you are a little spooked by insects, wear these heavy-duty, highly rated gardening gloves, available from Amazon.
You will be surprised how quickly this hack can make a difference when you are on a mission to get rid of earwigs on dahlias.
Why are earwigs good for the garden?
Earwigs are not your enemies. In fact, they’re quite handy to have around and are a vital part of a biodiverse ecosystem.
Earwigs are omnivores, meaning they consume both plant and animal matter. So, while they will feast on all types of dahlias (with delicious, succulent petals), they also have a voracious appetite for aphids, scale insects, and other sap-sucking bugs.
So, if you are wondering how to get rid of aphids in your rose garden right now, instead of spraying them with chemicals, try a low-intervention method by rehoming resident earwigs, who will be more than happy to help out.
One final tip to note when discussing dahlia pests is to avoid mulching right up to the base of your flowers. This cool, dark environment is prime earwig territory, where they can easily hide during the night. So, it is best to leave a few inches between the mulch and the base of your blooms.
For more information, see our guide on how to get rid of earwigs in your home.
Shop earwig control essentials
These small six-inch terracotta pots have multiple uses, including for house plants and earwig pest control.
Diatomaceous earth is an effective, natural way to repel and deter earwigs. Simply sprinkle around your beds.
This all-purpose bale from EX Straw is ideal for using in pots to deter earwigs in your borders this summer.
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