Q. Dear Peter: I like to grow sweet corn in my backyard, and at harvest time I always find that earwigs have taken up residence in the leafy coverings of the ears. When picking the corn, in addition to live earwigs, I find many dark particles, which I presume, are earwig droppings. Are you aware of any means of keeping the earwigs away? I’m primarily concerned about the sanitary aspects of handling the corn ears. An environmentally friendly solution to my concern is preferred. Thanks for any help you can provide. Paul Jacobson – Puyallup, WA
A. I think your presumption is correct and these are earwig droppings. I can’t really speak to whether the excrement of earwigs poses any health risks to humans but there is the obvious “yuk” factor associated with finding these insects and their droppings in your corn. But if they are not found in the kernel layer you should be able to shuck them outside (I usually shuck mine right over the compost pile to save a step) and they will not contact the kernels. If you want you can clean the corn with a mild detergent (or if you want to be “tres chic” you can use the new vegetable soaps that are on the market) will eliminate any sanitary issues. There are ways to trap earwigs. like placing pieces of bamboo segments on the soil with on open and one closed side or earwig traps After they are caught you then dump them into rubbing alcohol to dispose of them. But the earwigs may still prefer the corn to any traps you set. In this case you might consider restricting access to the corn altogether. Next year you can apply a band of tanglefoot tangle trap (an organic sticky product used to band trees) around the base of each corn stalk. This will keep them from being able to climb up the plants. Apply it when the corn sets tassels. Monitor the band since things may stick to it making a bridge across the sticky moat.