This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Earwigs can eat squash plants, and they often do when conditions are right.
These nocturnal insects are opportunistic feeders that chew on tender leaves, stems, and even the fruit of squash plants.
So if you’ve been asking, “do earwigs eat squash plants,” the short answer is yes, they can and sometimes will.
But the damage is usually minor unless you have a large infestation.
Earwigs feed at night, hiding in dark, moist places during the day.
Their feeding creates small holes and ragged edges on leaves, which can stress young squash plants.
The good news is that earwigs rarely kill established squash plants.
They’re more of a nuisance than a serious threat in most gardens.
However, seedlings and young transplants are more vulnerable.
In this post, we’ll look at why earwigs eat squash plants, how to tell if they’re the culprit, and what you can do to protect your crop.
Let’s dig in.
Why Earwigs Eat Squash Plants
Earwigs eat squash plants because squash offers them exactly what they need: soft, tender tissue and plenty of moisture.
Here’s why they’re drawn to your squash patch in the first place.
1. Earwigs Are Scavengers and Chewers
Earwigs aren’t picky eaters.
They feed on decaying organic matter, soft insects, and living plant tissue.
Squash leaves and stems are soft enough for their chewing mouthparts.
So when they find a squash plant, it’s an easy meal.
This scavenging habit is exactly why earwigs eat squash plants when other food sources run low.
2. Moisture and Shelter Attract Them
Squash plants create the perfect microclimate for earwigs.
Broad leaves shade the soil, keeping it cool and damp.
Mulch, crevices, and the base of the plant offer hiding spots during the day.
Earwigs need high humidity to survive.
So a well-watered squash bed is like a five-star hotel for them.
That’s why earwigs eat squash plants more often in gardens with heavy mulch and consistent watering.
3. Young Plants Are Most at Risk
Young squash seedlings have thin, tender leaves.
Earwigs can chew through them quickly.
A heavy feeding session can set a seedling back or even kill it.
Mature squash plants are tougher and can tolerate some damage.
But that doesn’t mean earwigs won’t eat squash plants that are fully grown.
They’ll still nibble on flowers, new growth, and fruit near the ground.
4. They Feed at Night
Earwigs are nocturnal.
During the day, they hide in soil cracks, under pots, or in the leaf axils of squash plants.
At night, they emerge to feed.
This is why many gardeners never see them in action.
You just wake up to holes in your squash leaves and wonder what happened.
If you suspect earwigs eat squash plants in your garden, go out with a flashlight after dark and check.
How to Tell If Earwigs Are Eating Your Squash Plants
Before you blame earwigs, you need to confirm they’re the ones causing the damage.
Earwig damage looks different from other common squash pests.
Here’s how to identify the signs.
1. Irregular Holes in Leaves
Earwigs chew irregular holes through leaves.
The edges are ragged, not smooth like caterpillar damage.
You’ll often see small holes scattered across the leaf surface.
On young squash leaves, the damage can look almost lacy.
If you see this pattern, there’s a good chance earwigs eat squash plants in your garden.
2. Damage on Flowers and Fruit
Earwigs don’t stop at leaves.
They’ll feed on squash blossoms and young fruit.
On fruit, they chew small shallow pits near the blossom end or where the fruit touches the soil.
This can make the squash unmarketable or open it up to rot.
So if you notice pitted fruit, earwigs eat squash plants and fruit alike.
3. Nighttime Inspection
The best way to confirm earwigs are the problem is to check at night.
Grab a flashlight and look at your squash plants around 10 p.m.
You’ll likely see earwigs crawling on leaves and stems.
If you do, you’ve caught them in the act.
This confirms that earwigs eat squash plants in your garden.
4. Look for Frass
Earwigs leave behind tiny dark droppings, called frass.
You might find frass on leaves or around the base of the plant.
It’s not as obvious as caterpillar frass, but it’s a clue.
Combined with leaf damage, frass tells you earwigs eat squash plants nearby.
How to Stop Earwigs from Eating Squash Plants
You don’t have to let earwigs eat squash plants without a fight.
Here are practical, low-toxicity ways to keep them off your crop.
1. Reduce Moisture and Hiding Spots
Earwigs love damp, dark places.
Water your squash in the morning so the soil surface dries by evening.
Remove excess mulch near plant stems.
Clear away boards, pots, and debris where earwigs hide during the day.
Less shelter means fewer earwigs to eat squash plants.
2. Trap Them Overnight
A simple trap works wonders.
Roll up a damp newspaper or use a shallow can with a bit of oil.
Place it near your squash plants before dusk.
Earwigs crawl in to hide by morning.
Then you can shake them out into soapy water.
This reduces the population that would otherwise eat squash plants.
3. Encourage Natural Predators
Toads, birds, and ground beetles eat earwigs.
So do some parasitic wasps and tachinid flies.
By avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides, you let these helpers thrive.
They’ll help control earwigs that eat squash plants.
4. Use Diatomaceous Earth Carefully
Diatomaceous earth (DE) can deter earwigs.
Sprinkle a thin ring around the base of squash plants.
When earwigs crawl over it, the powder damages their exoskeleton.
But DE also harms beneficial insects, so use it sparingly.
And reapply after rain.
This can stop earwigs from reaching your squash plants in the first place.
5. Handpick at Night
If you only have a few squash plants, handpicking works.
Go out with a flashlight and a jar of soapy water.
Pick earwigs off leaves and drop them in.
It’s tedious but effective.
Do this a few nights in a row to break the cycle of earwigs that eat squash plants.
So, Do Earwigs Eat Squash Plants?
Earwigs do eat squash plants, but they’re rarely a serious threat to healthy, mature plants.
They chew irregular holes in leaves, nibble on flowers, and sometimes pit young fruit.
The key is to confirm the damage, reduce moisture and hiding spots, and use traps or handpicking when needed.
With a little vigilance, you can keep earwigs from ruining your squash harvest.
So don’t panic if you see a few holes.
Just take action early and your squash plants will be fine.
And now you know the answer to “do earwigs eat squash plants” with confidence.