I moved into this house on May 24th, 2004. Since then, every year precisely on June 6th, Earwigs take over my house scaring the crap outta me. Until now.
We don't have earwigs in the south. At least I never saw any in Tennessee. So when I started finding them in my basement, then the bathroom, I asked somebody at work and that's when I learned about the "Earwig". The tale is that they crawl into the ears of people while they sleep and lay eggs there, right by your brain. That is so freaky, right? We actually called an exterminator the first year, they were so bad.
Well I'm astonished to report that it's already July 12th and I've not seen a single Earwig in the house. Since the only thing that's different this year is that I've planted a garden, I'm crediting the garden for saving me from the earwigs.
Earwigs like warm damp places so it's possible that they prefer the mulch outside to the basement and bathroom. I have seen a few outdoors and that's fine with me. I don't hate them. They just aren't allowed in my house on the count of I'm terrified of bugs crawling on me while I sleep. (remind me to tell you about the time I had a live gnat in my ear)
Yet another reason gardening rocks.
What's your favorite unexpected gardening benefit?
Oh, yeah, you have to love the bugs to garden. I love when a gnat flies in your mouth when you are mowing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you don't mind earwigs outside because once you have them they multiply each year...at least here where it doesn't freeze (much). But I agree...I hate to find them in the house...my friend had one fall out of her whisk into her pancakes batter once...eeww!
ReplyDeletecarol - by no means do i love any bugs. And gross!
ReplyDeleteleslie - are you trying to completely freak me out????
My favorite unexpected garden benefit is the completely lush greenery. Our house was so sterile when we moved in, and we're making it our own private jungle. Never underestimate the power of a garden!
ReplyDeleteI think that Earwig in the ear thing is an urban legend. Don't be too happy about the Earwigs being in the garden. You should see what they've done to my Clematis & Dahlia blooms. It's heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteThey are chewing my lovely flowering bushes, and they're all over my lettuce. I'm so tired of them. And they occasionally find their way into my kitchen.
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