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Earwigs are handy because (though they eat bits of leaf etc) they prey on blackfly, which are a real problem for young broad/fava bean shoots. Some organic gardeners make winter shelters to encourage them to stick around.

Slugs, hmm. Catch and destroy. Hours of fun.

The worst bean critter we had was a neighbouring rooster who we saw finishing off the last beans of two rows just when the beans were swollen and sprouting. A jab into the ground with his beak, up came a bean like a plum from a pie, gobble gobble, no more beans. Aarrgghh!

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Wed Aug 29th, 2007 at 05:48:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Yes, in theory earwigs are useful. However, when you nuke everything except them, woodlice and slugs they can run rampant and do real damage. It's like the slugs: when you kill all their predators they'll shred you. Just have to give the garden a chance to regain balance.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Wed Aug 29th, 2007 at 05:55:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Excellent book on those issues (species imbalance and land stewardship):  Noah's Garden...  delightfully written and good food (or compost) for thought...

The difference between theory and practise in practise ...
by DeAnander (de_at_daclarke_dot_org) on Thu Aug 30th, 2007 at 05:42:51 PM EST
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