Ottawa Horticultural Society

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How do I Make a better earwig trap?

Earwigs like to hide in dark places, for reasons known only to earwigs. These traps are designed to provide a dark hiding place, with just enough room to get in, but precious little room to turn around and get out.

You will need:

• 2 pieces of 1x6 lumber (3/4"x5.5") about 14" and 13.5" long (preferably cedar)
• 1 # 8 or # 10 woodscrew, 1.5" long
• 2 # 6 woodscrews, 0.5" long, round head
• 1 piece of aluminum strip, 1"x1/8", about 9" long
• 2 woodscrews

For best results, set a circular saw with DADO blade at 1/4" (8mm) and cut about 8 slots in the longer of the 1x6 lumber pieces. The slots should run only 8" up the length of the board otherwise the earwigs will be impossible to remove. Leave the shorter piece blank. Note that if the slots are cut too deeply, the board will warp.

Connect the two pieces with the no 8 or 10 woodscrew set 1.75" in from end opposite the slots. The slots should be visible for about half an inch, extending beyond the shorter 1x6. Finish the trap by attaching it to the aluminum strip with the 2 no 6 woodscrews.

Place the trap in the garden using the stake to hold it upright.

To empty the traps, swing it open over a bucket of soapy water just deep enough to drown the earwigs. On a "good" day I have found 100 earwigs in one trap. If you grease the inside of the bucket, they will find it harder to climb out.

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