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Earwigs do eat basil leaves, and they can be surprisingly destructive little pests in your herb garden.
If you’ve noticed jagged holes or irregular notches chewed right through your basil’s tender leaves, earwigs are often the culprits behind the damage.
These nocturnal insects hide during the day in cool, damp spots and come out at night to feed on your basil leaves, along with other garden plants.
While they aren’t the only garden pest you’ll face, earwigs eating basil leaves is a very real problem that many gardeners encounter each growing season.
In this post, we’ll dig into exactly why earwigs eat basil leaves, how to spot their damage, and practical ways to protect your basil so you can actually enjoy your harvest.
Let’s get to it.
Why Earwigs Eat Basil Leaves
Earwigs eat basil leaves for a few simple reasons, and understanding their behavior is the first step to stopping them.
1. Basil Leaves Are a Tender, Moist Food Source
Earwigs are drawn to soft, succulent plant tissue, and basil leaves fit that description perfectly.
Basil’s thin, delicate leaves are easy for earwigs to chew through with their pincers.
These pests prefer moisture-rich foliage, and basil holds plenty of water in its leaves, making it an attractive meal.
When earwigs find your basil, they’ll often return night after night to keep feeding on the same plants.
2. Earwigs Are Nocturnal Feeders
Earwigs eat basil leaves primarily at night, which is why you might not see them in action when you’re tending your garden during the day.
They hide in mulch, under pots, in cracks, or any dark damp crevice during daylight hours.
Once the sun goes down, they emerge and climb up your basil plants to feed.
This nighttime habit means you might notice fresh damage each morning without ever spotting the earwigs themselves.
3. Warm, Humid Weather Encourages Earwig Activity
Earwigs thrive in warm, humid conditions, which are the same conditions basil loves to grow in.
If you’re watering your basil regularly and mulching around the base, you’re creating a perfect environment for earwigs to multiply.
The more moisture and shelter available, the more earwigs you’ll have, and the more basil leaves they’ll consume.
How to Tell If Earwigs Are Eating Your Basil Leaves
Before you start treating your basil, you need to confirm that earwigs are actually the ones doing the damage.
1. Look for Irregular Holes and Ragged Edges
Earwigs eat basil leaves by chewing irregular, jagged holes that often start from the edges of the leaf.
Unlike slugs which leave smooth edges or caterpillars which might leave more uniform holes, earwigs leave behind a messy, ragged appearance.
The damage is most visible on younger, upper leaves where earwigs like to feed.
2. Check for Damage at Night
Since earwigs eat basil leaves at night, grab a flashlight and head out to your garden after dark.
Shine the light on your basil plants and you’ll likely catch earwigs in the act of munching.
They’re shy and will scatter quickly when the light hits them, but seeing them is a clear confirmation.
3. Look for Dark Droppings
Earwigs leave behind small, dark droppings on the leaves and stems they feed on.
If you see tiny black specks mixed with chewed leaves, that’s another sign that earwigs are visiting your basil.
Natural Ways to Stop Earwigs From Eating Basil Leaves
You don’t need harsh chemicals to keep earwigs off your basil, and there are several effective natural strategies you can try.
1. Set Out an Oil Trap
One of the most reliable methods to stop earwigs from eating basil leaves is a simple oil trap.
Fill a shallow container with vegetable oil and a splash of soy sauce, then place it near your basil plants.
Earwigs are attracted to the smell, fall into the oil, and can’t escape.
Check the trap daily and empty it as needed, and you’ll see the earwig population drop quickly.
2. Use a Rolled-Up Newspaper
Roll up a damp newspaper and place it near your basil before nightfall.
Earwigs eat basil leaves at night, but they also love hiding in dark, damp spots like rolled paper.
In the morning, take the newspaper and shake the earwigs into a bucket of soapy water to dispose of them.
This is a cheap, low-effort trick that works surprisingly well.
3. Create a Barrier With Diatomaceous Earth
Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around the base of your basil plants.
This fine powder sticks to earwigs and damages their exoskeleton, eventually drying them out.
Since earwigs crawl on the ground to reach your basil, this barrier is highly effective at stopping them.
Just reapply after rain or watering because the powder loses its effectiveness when wet.
4. Keep Your Garden Clean and Dry
Earwigs eat basil leaves more when they have plenty of hiding spots nearby.
Remove mulch, leaf litter, and debris from around your basil plants to eliminate their daytime shelters.
Water your basil in the morning instead of the evening so the soil dries out before nightfall.
A drier, tidier garden means fewer earwigs and less damage to your basil.
So, Do Earwigs Eat Basil Leaves?
Yes, earwigs eat basil leaves, and they can cause noticeable damage if you don’t take action.
They’re drawn to basil’s tender, moisture-rich foliage, and they feed primarily at night while hiding during the day.
The good news is you can protect your basil leaves with simple traps, barriers, and a cleaner garden environment.
Once you understand why earwigs eat basil leaves and how to deter them, you can keep your basil healthy and thriving all season.
So don’t let these pincered pests ruin your pesto, get out there and guard your basil.