Get some smart suggestions on how to get rid of pincher bugs and save your vegetables and plants from getting sabotaged by these pesky little pests…
So what are pincher bugs? This would be the first question which we would be going through, before I take you through the different methods on how to get rid of pincher bugs in your house and garden. Also known as earwigs, pincher bugs belong to one of the smallest insect orders, prevalent throughout Americas, Eurasia and Australia. Typically, these insects have pincers which appear like forceps, and are located on their abdomen. These pests are not of the flying type, but are capable of doing so. Being nocturnal, the insects become active at night and feed on a large variety of plants and other insects. During the day time, they lay low in small, moist crevices. Earwigs which are commonly associate with large scale destruction of various crops are the species known as Forficula auricularia (common earwig). Alright, now, I guess that would be enough to let you know about what pincher bugs are. Time to come to the main topic of this discussion – getting rid of pincher bugs.
How to Get Rid of Pincher Bugs In the Garden
One of the most popular methods on how to get rid of pincher bugs in the garden, is to fool these creatures. As mentioned, these creatures love to bed in cold and damp places. So, what you need to do is to get yourself some old newspapers and roll them up loosely. Now, soak the papers in water but do not overdo it. Do this just before the evening falls. Now, when it has become dark and cold, take the folded newspapers and plant them along side the bases of your plants in the garden. Your work is done here and you have to simply wait for the night. The next morning, take a plastic garbage bag with you to your garden and put the newspapers in it, sealing the bag tightly. Be careful to pick up the papers carefully, as they won’t be empty. What would have happened is that, in the previous night, these bugs would have crawled into the folds of these moist papers, to bed down for the day. Throw the bag in the dustbin and ensure that it is properly sealed.
Another method on how to get rid of pincher bugs is using a used low-sided can. Fill it with ½ inch of used vegetable oil and leave the can where you have previously noticed these bugs. If you put a slice of banana or an apple inside the can, chances would be more that these pests would make their way into the can. And when they do, they would drown till death.
If you are wondering about what kills pincher bugs, then I would let you know about boric acid. This substance is a common weapon to get rid of these pests and is also safe for humans and pets. Sprinkle generous amount of the acid in places which are frequented by the bugs. Once the bugs pass across the boric acid-treated path, they would trod the path for the final time.
Installing bird feeders and bird baths in your lawn or garden is one smart way to kill earwig bugs naturally. These bugs make for some great delicacies for birds and applying this method solves two purposes. Birds get easy food and you get a earwig-free garden.
How to Get Rid of Pincher Bugs In Your House
A thorough vacuuming session repeated frequently would get rid of earwigs in your house in no time. Keep the vacuum ready before beginning the operation because as soon as you do, they will start scattering. Be careful to empty the vacuum bag in a sealed container, and dispose it immediately. After you are done with it, give one more shot of vacuuming in the area concentrated by the bugs, lest there are eggs of these insects which might have been left out.
Nowadays, there are available different kinds of earwig-specific insecticides for controlling earwigs, which are not harmful to humans and pets. You can use these products as according to the instructions and treat the foundations of your house. Best it is to spray these insecticides in a six to ten foot radius all around your house for complete earwigs removal. It is also important that you get rid of any trash in your house. Earwigs love to feed on them.
And to conclude my suggestions on how to get rid of pincher bugs, try moving garden furniture and patio chairs, around every now and then. Also try exposing them to the sun. Doing this would make it less comfortable for the earwigs to settle down in one place. Getting rid of such pesky pests, may seem daunting initially, but with a little bit of effort and using a combination of the methods described above, would definitely yield desirable results.
