With their pincers and elongated bodies, earwigs can be a nuisance in gardens and landscapes.
These insects feed on other insects, plants, and decaying organic matter, making them both beneficial and harmful to the environment.
But what if there was a way to reduce the harmful aspect by keeping them at bay without eliminating them?
The good news is that there is a very effective way. By learning what scents earwigs hate, you can regain control of your garden and enjoy a healthy, earwig-free landscape.
So, what scents do earwigs hate? Read on to find out!
Earwigs are commonly found in gardens and landscapes. While earwigs benefit plants by feeding on other insects, they are also a nuisance to gardeners and homeowners. In this article, you will learn:
- Behavior of earwigs
- When to consider removing earwigs
- Ways to use the scents to get rid of earwigs
Earwigs have several senses to navigate the environment, including touch, taste, and smell. Keep reading to learn more!
If you have ever found yourself plagued by these insects and feeling frustrated or want to learn about this insect in general, this article is a must-read for you. This article will teach you about the different scents the earwigs can’t stand.
Behavior of Earwigs
Earwigs are nocturnal insects. They are generally shy and reclusive and spend most of their time hiding in dark, moist places. They feed on other insects, plant material, and decaying organic matter.
Earwigs have a highly developed sense of smell, touch, and taste, which they use to navigate their environment and survive in the wild.
They have antennae that are sensitive to touch. They use these antennas to feel their way around and locate food. They also have mouthparts that they use to taste and test the quality of their food.
Earwigs are one of the few insects capable of aquatic life. They can swim and will do so if they find themselves in the water.
In terms of their sense of smell, earwigs have highly developed antennae that contain numerous sensory receptors. These receptors allow them to detect odors in the air, and they use this sense of smell to locate food, mates, and potential predators.
The scent receptors are connected to their olfactory system, which helps them process information and make decisions based on the smells they detect.
When Should I Consider Removing Earwigs?
Earwigs are fascinating insects with unique appearances and behavior. These creatures, which belong to the order Dermaptera, are known for their distinctive pincers and an equally scary superstition to match.
However, despite their reputation, earwigs are harmless and play an important role in controlling pests in gardens and farms.
Earwigs also feed on many plants, including leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits, causing significant damage by leaving them with holes or irregularly shaped leaves.
Five Scents Earwigs Hate
There are five scents that earwigs loathe.
Let’s explore these fragrances and discover why they keep earwigs at bay.
1. Lavender
The strong floral fragrance of lavender essential oil is said to keep earwigs away.
There is some evidence that the scent of lavender interferes with the earwig’s ability to locate food and mates, causing them to avoid areas where the scent is strong.
2. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oil’s strong, menthol-like aroma is believed to repel earwigs quite well, and with good reason.
It is thought that the scent of eucalyptus interferes with the earwig’s sense of smell as it is too intense for their system to ignore.
3. Mint
When grown in the garden, Mint plants can help keep earwigs away.
It is believed that the presence of menthol in mint is too overwhelming for earwigs to handle, causing them to avoid the area.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is believed to repel earwigs due to its strong, spicy fragrance.
Certain compounds, including cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and coumarin, have antimicrobial and insect-repelling properties, leaving earwigs an exception.
5. Vinegar
The strong, acrid scent of vinegar is believed to repel earwigs.
The acutely pungent smell of vinegar makes it difficult for earwigs to ignore, causing them to stay away.
How To Use the Scents To Get Rid of Earwigs
There are different ways you can use the above scents to repel earwigs, including:
- Aroma Diffuser
- Spray Bottle
- Plants
1. Aroma Diffuser
Diffusing the above-mentioned essential oil can be an effective way to create a repellent barrier around your home. The aroma of these scents can help keep earwigs away.
This option may not work well if you have a huge garden, as you need a comparative amount of diffusion of this scent to achieve the effect. However, it works well for cozy gardens, patio spaces, and surrounding areas.
2. Spray Bottle
You can easily use the above scents in spray form.
To do this, mix a few drops of the above scents, in essential oil form, with water in a spray bottle and apply it around the areas where earwigs are a problem or sighted.
Make sure to get all the corners and entry points leading to the garden area.
3. Plants
If you want earwigs to leave your plants alone, try including eucalyptus, lavender, or a mint plant into the bouquet of plants in your garden.
It is the most convenient and low-maintenance way of repelling earwigs.
Additionally, planting herbs like basil and rosemary can keep earwigs away, as earwigs dislike these herbs.
Conclusion
In short, Earwigs can be a nuisance in gardens and landscapes, but there are natural and effective ways to keep them out of your green spaces.
Using certain scents, such as lavender, eucalyptus, mint, cinnamon, and vinegar, you can protect your plants and enjoy a healthy, earwig-free environment.
So, next time you battle with earwigs, consider incorporating these scents into your garden as a safe and natural solution.
By doing so, you can enjoy a beautiful and healthy outdoor space free from unwanted pests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Earwigs Crawl Into Ears?
Earwigs are called earwigs because of an old superstition: they crawl into people’s ears and burrow into their brains.
Lucky for us, it isn’t true, but it was spread due to the insect’s unusual appearance, which may have frightened people, leading to this false superstition.
So, no, they don’t crawl into people’s ears. They are not harmful to humans.
What Smell Do Earwigs Love?
Earwigs are not attracted to any particular smell other than pheromones.
Pheromones are chemicals produced by insects to communicate with each other. This trail of pheromones leads earwigs to their prey.
