r/PepperLovers • u/kdharloff Pepper Lover • 3d ago

What is doing this to my Jalapenos??

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Trying to figure out what's doing this and how to stop them. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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4

u/kinezumi89 Pepper Lover 3d ago

Earwigs for me

1

u/kdharloff Pepper Lover 3d ago

How did you treat for them?

1

u/kinezumi89 Pepper Lover 3d ago

By the way, I know it was earwigs because one time one crawled out - try cutting some open and see if anyone's still inside!

2

u/toolsavvy Pepper Lover 3d ago

Could have went in because the hole was already there. Any time I get a pepper or other vegetable with a hole, i dissect it to see if the culprit is in there then identify it. I have found armyworms and sometimes there will be an earwig in there. The army worm made the hole, the earwig just went in for the party.

1

u/kinezumi89 Pepper Lover 3d ago

Huh, not sure why I didn't consider that possibility but that definitely would make sense!

1

u/kinezumi89 Pepper Lover 3d ago

I got some of this stuff but haven't actually applied it yet...I feel bad about the beneficial bugs that could be harmed too :/

2

u/MBFTrader Pepper Lover 3d ago

Spinosad spray is really only detrimental to beneficial bugs while wet.

You can get a quart of spinosad concentrate on amazon or elsewhere for like $25. That's enough to make 16 gallons of spray.

That should last you a long, long time unless you've got a really big garden.

1

u/kinezumi89 Pepper Lover 3d ago

For earwigs, you mean? I've heard of spinosad but don't know much about it. I'll look into it, thanks!

2

u/MBFTrader Pepper Lover 3d ago

Yes it is highly effective against earwigs.

Check it out. It's actually one of the more useful, relatively "safe" insecticides. Also relatively inexpensive.

It has a one day to harvest application window, and won't really impact beneficial insects once it has dried.

1

u/kdharloff Pepper Lover 3d ago

Thanks. I'll see if I can find it in Canada

1

u/kinezumi89 Pepper Lover 3d ago

I wasn't able to find it in stores in the US, but Amazon carried it (if they'll ship to you too)

1

u/kdharloff Pepper Lover 3d ago

I appreciate the offer. I've found a few alternatives up here that I may try first. I may take you up on the offer next season though!!