8 BULLETIN 566, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



CONTROL OF THE EARWIG. 



NEED FOR SPECIAL CONTROL MEASURES. 



In Europe this insect appears to be held in check by parasites and 

 other natural agencies, and it is very rarely present in large numbers. 

 Gardeners who raise prize dahlias, chrysanthemums, and flowers of 

 that class are the only ones who consider the earwig an actual pest. 

 As a result control measures have developed slowly. Their aim has 

 been simply to protect a small area from the depredations of a 

 comparatively small number of earwigs. Various methods of trap- 

 ping have been developed which satisfy the need, so no better 

 methods have been worked out. 



At Newport, as has been stated, this insect occurs in vast numbers. 

 The lack of parasites and other natural enemies, together with the 

 favorable conditions met with at every stage of the life history, has 

 made this rapid increase possible. 



The control measures offered in this paper have been developed 

 through laboratory tests and later have been tested in field trials on 

 a large scale. 



POISONED BAIT. 



For early spring control, May 15 to June 15, poisoned-bread bait 

 has proved extremely effective. In fact, it gave far better results 

 than any other mixture that was tried. This method would prove 

 cumbersome and expensive for the average farmer, but its extreme 

 effectiveness makes it the best to recommend at this time. Stale 

 bread was secured in 1916 for approximately 2 cents per pound. The 

 bait is prepared as follows : 



Stale white bread pounds 16 



Paris green pound 1 



Water. 



Grind the bread up fine in a meat-chopping machine and mix the 

 Paris green with it while dry. Stir the mixture thoroughly, slowly 

 adding water enough to make a mixture which will run through 

 the fingers, and one which, when thrown broadcast with some force, 

 will break up into small particles. The addition of cheap honey to 

 the mixture increases its effectiveness, but is not necessary. 



This bait should be spread broadcast between dusk and 9 p. m. in 

 gardens and on lawns near vines and shrubs. It should be thrown 

 with considerable force in order to break the bait up into smaller 

 pieces. If the infestation is heavy or was heavy the previous year, 

 three applications covering about 10 days may be necessary. Warm 

 evenings should be selected if possible, as on such nights the larvae 

 are more active. 



