Take this with a grain of salt, I'm not an IPM expert by any means, but I did have an out-of-control earwig problem for several years in my vegetable garden. Tried a number of recommended measures without success, but this year I tried 'Sluggo Plus', which is listed as safe for vegetables and animals, and it solved the earwig problem within days. So if you can find where they're living and breeding outside, it might be worth a try.
Arlen Heginbotham Conservator Decorative Arts and Sculpture The J. Paul Getty Museum 1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90049 T (310) 440 7178 [cid:a3869812-d8f6-4482-9d01-af2da9552206] ________________________________ From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Alan P Van Dyke <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 9:50 AM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [PestList] Earwigs Hi Erin, Earwigs have a widely varied diet and will eat plant material, so I would assume your herbarium collection is threatened. They like to hide in dark, moist crevices and usually come out after dark. I know where I live they are usually found under rocks, but I have also seen them hiding in rotting wood. See if there is a high moisture area with lots of crevices. If so, clean it out and see if that helps. Common earwigs will also eat foodstuff, so check in that office area for any accessible food. Finally, check for any entry points from outside. Earwigs are generally not indoor insects, so they may be coming in by accident and then can't find their way out. Good luck! Alan Alan Van Dyke Senior Preservation Technician Harry Ransom Center The University of Texas at Austin P.O. Drawer 7219 Austin, Texas 78713-7219 P: 512-232-4614 www.hrc.utexas.edu<http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/> [https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1rqiR2nrgyoj0efqQIZR-nz7WGyw16bBn&revid=0B14-z3QUvdNTT0UyTlZJMUl4dHErTWYzVWdnSnVOUE90alBFPQ]<http://hrc.utexas.edu> On Wed, May 20, 2020 at 11:35 AM Erin Berkowitz <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Dear Pestlist, Good morning and I hope everyone is staying healthy. I have a question regarding earwigs and dried plant specimens. We have quite an infestation of earwigs outside and inside a couple of our herbarium cabinets. Does anyone know if earwigs pose a threat to herbarium specimens? How can we eradicate these pests? In addition, there is a doorway nearby, these are not main collection cabinets but associated with a nearby office, and we are limited on space. Thank you for your input. Regards, Erin -- Erin Berkowitz Herbarium Workroom Manager/ Curatorial Assistant II RSA-POM Herbarium California Botanic Garden 1500 North College Avenue Claremont, California 91711 909.625.8767 ext. 233<tel:%28909%29%20625-8767> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAK_C%3D2POGSiuLfaDgS1N6ubphdVVaijWxDkyJ40U_FSk%3D458%3DA%40mail.gmail.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAK_C%3D2POGSiuLfaDgS1N6ubphdVVaijWxDkyJ40U_FSk%3D458%3DA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAHhLO3br2LsE9o-cVHidKKwjhuYkvbbM_x8EmBz3cfu6-EP44g%40mail.gmail.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAHhLO3br2LsE9o-cVHidKKwjhuYkvbbM_x8EmBz3cfu6-EP44g%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Getty. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify the sender and know the content is safe. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/BYAPR05MB3943DCBFA0CF0451C1786BA6CAB40%40BYAPR05MB3943.namprd05.prod.outlook.com.
