How do I earwigs at bay?

[Bob Clark]

How do I keep earwigs from infesting my garden? They aremost noticeable in the lettuce and spinach. Everything is in raised beds and I'm in Spokane, WA (zone 5?).

TIA

[Larry Blanchard]

Sounds like my garden - I'm in Spokane Valley (under protest). My earwig (and slug) supply went way down after I replaced the bark paths between my beds with lava rock. With the black garden cloth underneath.

It doesn't get rid of them, but it helps.

[Ally]

I have recently tried diatomaceous earth to control earwigs and slugs

- can't give you any results yet as it is too early but it is said to be effective against earwigs, slugs, and a number of other bugs. Even though I don't see it as a precaution in the application instructions

- I'd recommend wearing a dust mask if you do use it (we used it in the lab for cleaning high tech equipment and always did because the airborne particles can irritate your airways).

[Blues Ma]

Too right about the fine particles, mask is always best. I've had great luck eliminating earwigs with D E.    Keeps them off hostas as well as vegetables. Sprinkle a light layer on the soil when no rain is expected. Alternately  -  put it between layers of newspaper (they love wet paper) and when they crawl in to hide from the light, they get coated.

Ma

[Claire Petersky]

Yet another alternative: put out the wet newspaper with no pesticide. They crawl in, you scoop up the newspaper and throw away.