If you’re tired of finding earwigs in your dahlias or munching on your seedlings, there’s a natural solution growing right in your garden. Using plants that repel earwigs – naturally pest-deterring is a smart, chemical-free way to protect your greens.
This method works by creating a barrier or scent mask that these little pincher bugs find unpleasant. It’s about working with nature, not against it. Let’s look at how you can design a garden that earwigs would rather avoid.
Plants That Repel Earwigs – Naturally Pest-Deterring
Certain plants produce strong scents, oils, or textures that earwigs and other pests steer clear of. By placing these strategically, you create a living fortress. The key is to plant them in the right spots, like near doorways, around susceptible plants, or in problem areas.
Here are some of the most effective plants to use as your first line of defense.
Strong-Scented Herbs Earwigs Hate
Herbs are fantastic for this job. They’re useful in your kitchen and powerful in the garden. Their potent aromatic oils confuse pests and mask the scent of the plants you’re trying to protect.
- Rosemary: This woody herb has a strong, piney scent. Plant it in sunny, well-drained spots near entry points to your home or garden beds.
- Thyme: Creeping thyme makes a great ground cover. Its low, spreading habit creates a fragrant carpet that earwigs are reluctant to cross.
- Basil: While we love its smell, earwigs do not. Plant basil near tomatoes or peppers, which are often targets. Plus, you’ll have plenty for pesto.
- Mint: Warning: plant mint in pots! It’s incredibly invasive, but its strong menthol odor is a major deterrent. Sink potted mint near problem areas.
- Sage: The fuzzy, aromatic leaves of sage are unappealing. It’s a perennial that comes back year after year, offering long-term protection.
Flowers That Double as Earwig Guards
Don’t forget about flowers. Many add beauty while performing serious pest control duty. They also attract beneficial insects that prey on earwigs.
- Marigolds: A classic pest-repelling flower. Their distinct smell is known to deter many insects, including earwigs. Plant them as a border around vegetable patches.
- Chrysanthemums: These contain pyrethrin, a natural insecticide. While beautiful, they help keep the earwig population down.
- Dahlias: Interestingly, while some earwigs eat dahlia petals, the plants themselves can help draw earwigs away from more vulnurable crops. Use them as a trap plant on the garden’s edge.
- Lavender: Its heavenly scent to us is overwhelming to pests. The dry, sunny conditions lavender loves are also conditions earwigs avoid.
Other Garden Helpers
Some plants work through texture or other clever mechanisms.
- Garlic & Onions: Alliums have a powerful sulfurous scent. Interplant them throughout your vegetable garden to create a scent barrier.
- Ferns: The dense, shady environment under ferns can actually be too damp and crowded even for earwigs sometimes, making them less likely to settle there.
How to Plant Your Deterrent Garden
It’s not just what you plant, but where and how. Follow these steps for the best results.
Step 1: Identify Problem Zones
Watch where earwigs congregate. Is it under your zucchini leaves? In your compost pile? Near the house foundation? These are your target areas for planting repellents.
Step 2: Create Borders and Barriers
Plant your strong-scented herbs and flowers as a perimeter. Think of it like drawing a line in the sand. A thick border of rosemary, thyme, and marigolds can redirect earwigs away from the garden’s interior.
Step 3: Use Companion Planting
Place repellent plants right next to susceptible ones. For example, plant basil next to your lettuces, or ring your fruit trees with lavender. This method masks the desirable plant’s scent.
Step 4: Maintain Your Plants
Healthy, thriving plants produce the strongest scents. Prune your herbs regularly to encourage new, fragrant growth. The more you brush against them, the more oils they release into the air.
Boosting Your Natural Strategy
Plants alone are a powerful tool, but combining them with other natural methods creates an unbeatable system.
First, reduce hiding spots. Earwigs love dark, damp places. Remove excess mulch, boards, and leaf litter near garden beds. Keep the area tidy.
Second, set traps. A rolled-up newspaper or a small container filled with soy sauce and vegetable oil can attract and trap earwigs overnight. Place these traps near your repellent plants to catch stragglers.
Third, encourage predators. Birds, toads, and ground beetles eat earwigs. A bird bath or a small toad house can invite these helpful creatures into your garden. They are a crucial part of the natural balance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the right plants, a few errors can reduce their effectiveness.
- Planting Too Sparingly: One basil plant won’t protect a whole garden. You need a concentrated scent to create an effective barrier.
- Ignoring the Soil: Overwatering creates the damp conditions earwigs love. Let the soil dry out a bit between watering to make the area less inviting.
- Using Pesticides: Broad-spectrum pesticides will kill the beneficial insects that help control earwigs. They can also disrupt the natural oils of your repellent plants.
- Forgetting About Nighttime: Earwigs are nocturnal. Your plants work 24/7, but be patient. It may take a few nights for them to fully get the message and move on.
FAQ: Your Earwig Repellent Questions
Do these plants kill earwigs?
No, they primarily repel and deter them. The goal is to make your garden less attractive so the earwigs move elsewhere to find food and shelter.
How quickly will I see results?
You might notice a difference within a week or two, especially if you combine plants with trap-setting and habitat reduction. It’s not an instant fix, but a lasting solution.
Can I use essential oils instead of plants?
Yes, oils like rosemary or lavender can be mixed with water and sprayed. But this is a short-term solution. The living plants provide ongoing, self-renewing protection without any extra work from you.
What if I have a really bad infestation?
Start with the traps and habitat cleanup first to reduce numbers quickly. Then, establish your repellent plants. For severe cases, you may need to use diatomaceous earth around plant bases as an extra physical barrier while your plants establish.
Will these plants repel other pests too?
Absolutely. Many of these plants, like marigolds and herbs, are known to deter aphids, mosquitoes, and even some beetles. Its a multi-benefit approach to garden health.
Using plants that repel earwigs is a classic example of smart gardening. It saves you time and money on chemicals, and it makes your garden a more diverse and interesting place. You’re building an ecosystem that manages itself.
Start with a few pots of rosemary and mint by your back door. Plant a border of marigolds. Observe where the earwigs are and place your new plants accordingly. With a little planning, you can enjoy a healthier garden and fewer unwanted guests nibbling on your plants.