MontananDakota (07-20-2017)
I have a huge earwig infestation in one of the chicken coops. I read online that diatomaceous earth should take care of it but it doesn't seem to be working. Either that or I'm getting new infestations. It's near a wood pile. I'm going to try the soy sauce / oil solution in a buried container soon.
Any thoughts or ideas? I really don't want them getting to the house.
MontananDakota (07-20-2017)
I've always used DE. Have you really layed it on? I mean it cuts their exoskeleton how can it not be working? Maybe they're immune somehow.....
janedoe (07-20-2017)
Good to know that it does work. The problem is probably that they are "hiding" in a vertical space between the door and the frame so I open the door and they scramble. You know how they move really fast but since it's a vertical space, I'm pouring the DE on them and on the frame but it just falls to the ground. Maybe too many are getting away before it hits them. I'll keep at it and try cramming it into the crevices. I've gone through most of a huge container. I've considered moving the birds into a dog kennel and tipping the coop over just to get rid of the things. They clearly bother the birds.
janedoe (07-20-2017)
That's what I thought they'd do! Usually I don't bother with bugs in the coops for exactly that reason. Either they aren't to their taste or there are too many of them.
Edited to say: Just looked it up and, yeah! They should be eating them. I think this is a massive infestation that keeps replenishing itself.
And now I'm sitting here with my skin crawling....I hate those things almost as much as I hate centipedes.
janedoe (07-21-2017)
OMG here too. ALL OVER. **shiver**
I think i Have some old DE I may throw down. Half my garden is pots so they are hiding there. A few have gotten into the house. I hate to use actual bug spray because of Rocky (off chance it gets on his foot or he licks the area)
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janedoe (07-21-2017)
You know this I'm sure, but just in case.... Are you using food grade DE or the regular? Food grade is likely too finely ground to work. And maybe the stuff is old and the edges got rubbed off? Like polishing stones?
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janedoe (07-21-2017)
I think your'e right-its falling through and they're escaping. Tip it over and douse them. eek.
janedoe (07-21-2017)
I actually did not know that but I do have to use food grade. Too many animals going on. However, I have been targeting the earwigs specifically instead of just laying it down so to speak and today there were only about 20 or so. I'd say I got a good coating on about 2/3 of them. If the population doesn't decrease, I'll do the soy sauce and cooking oil method.
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