Question from Jennifer:
I have just finished watching your video on planting artichokes and am hoping you might be able to answer a related pest question. I planted artichokes from seed last fall for the first time and the plants grew wonderfully at first. However, as early Spring rolled around and the buds began to form, all my plants were completely overtaken by earwigs. Granted, there are earwigs all over the yard, but they really turned the artichoke plants into huge nurseries and colonies.
I tried diatomaceous earth for a while, but it would wash away and the earwigs would return. I also tried flushing them out with water and squashing as many as possible while they scurried around. Ultimately though, every artichoke bud was turned into swiss cheese with tunnel holes and earwig frass everywhere. Very unappetizing. It was so frustrating that I wasn’t going to bother with them again this fall. But if you think there is an organic solution I missed, I would definitely be willing to try again. I toyed with the idea of trying Sluggo Plus but I’m glad I didn’t after reading your post on what a hazard to bees it is.
Any advice you could offer would be hugely appreciated. Thank you so much!
Answer from Pat:
After planting the artichokes and before the earwigs have invaded, surround the stems of the artichokes with a thick layer of dry, bagged earthworm castings over the roots. I am pretty sure this will take care of the problem and get rid of the earwigs. Also I don’t think Sluggo Plus® would harm bees if used on the ground only surrounding the stems.
Let me know how the earthworm castings works for you.
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Hi Pat,
I just think that the fact that Jennifer used the terms “earwig frass” is just too cool. I have to say that earthworm castings applied every few months have really helped my garden counteract a lot of last years drama bugs. I have heard (but not tried) that little tuna cans filled with beer or wine attract them, and my fave tip that I have used before is the rolled up newspaper you put out at night, and then in the am just toss them away. I have used sluggo plus for control of those pillbugs that were my garden decimators, but I applied in the evening when no bees are present, and I really concentrated it where I saw them.
I grew chokes for food, but then this year just let them flower as they were mindblowingly beautiful. Sometimes I just plant things to see what they do and how they grow (right now I am growing some Okra, what a trip!)
Jill Landry
Great to hear from you again and thanks for the tips! I’d forgotten about the rolled up newspapers. That really works. I don’t have an earwig problem so I guess I just didn’t think of it but I know other people agree with you it’s great. Once the earwigs are up inside an artichoke, however, they usually stay put, but hearing your next tip made me think those pesky critters might be willing to climb down if it became a trip to the local pub.
I’m mighty glad the earthworm castings routine helped keep bugs under control this year. That’s super news. My experience also. Sluggo Plus does a job on pillbugs and good for you for taking care of bees (by using it carefully.) Yes, so fun to let artichokes flower. They are stunning and easy to grow. Good for you for growing ochra, one of my favorite veggies, but it doesn’t grow well along the coast, needing a long hot season.
Oh I never would have thought earthworm castings could repel earwigs. What a great non-toxic option. I will definitely give the artichokes another try this Fall and let you know how it works. Thank you again!
I even discovered you can plant artichokes in March from seed-grown plants (as my book says), and I still got a great crop in June, but I fed and watered like mad. By the way, my brother John said it is really worthwhile to grow artichokes oneself since did I know that growers put more pesticides on them than almost any other crop? That really shook me up. Good thing to only buy organic ones or grow them organically at home, despite the water they take!
Oh that’s so scary to think about all the chemicals on store bought artichokes. It’s so believable though considering how easily the earwigs had made my entire crop unusable this year. I am looking forward to seeing what else is in your book on vegetable care. I had ordered it on Amazon a few days ago and it should hopefully be arriving soon. In the meantime, it is great to have some artichoke hope renewed!
Yes, I succeeded with artichokes so I know you can do so also! If I get any more ideas against earwigs I will let you know.