Earwigs for low cost insect control and insecticide-free foods

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

An insect that used to be thought of as a harmful organism may very well pave a revolutionary method of controlling insects in rice and vegetables at a very low cost without endangering the health of farmers and consumers.

Some people used to believe that this insect, called earwig, transmits diseases and harms people as well as animals. Europeans even believed that it can penetrate into the head through the ears.

However, Dante Sabacan, an agriculture technologist in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija, has proven to farmers in this town that indeed the use of earwigs could drastically cut down their cost of production, as they no longer need to apply insecticides.

In onion production alone, farmers spend at least P70,000 a hectare for insect control using chemical insecticides, which endanger their health and consumers as well.  What’s worse is that the use of chemical insecticides does not provide full guarantee on insect control or at least minimal losses from insect damage.

Sabacan has been growing earwigs in his house since 2004 after undergoing a refresher course on integrated pest management conducted by PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute) specialists.  At first, his wife, Anali, wanted to throw his cultures away because the insects were taking away from her most of his time whenever he was at home.  However, she has learned to appreciate the insects as well as her husband’s dedication after learning that these can help farmers a lot. 

 Using his own money and on his initiative, Sabacan produces around 50,000 earwigs a week using corn cobs as culture medium. Corn cobs entail no cost since these are simply thrown away by corn growers.  This earwig population can protect around five hectares a week or 80 hectares a season.

At the start, Sabacan met some difficulties, as culturing earwigs needs some TLC (tender lover and care), but it did not take long before he became proficient.

To grow earwig successfully, he sterilizes the soil which he uses by “frying” to prevent the accumulation of fungus. He also uses corn cobs as nests for the in sects. He covers his culture containers with a net to protect the earwigs from lizards and flying insects. Likewise, he sprays the surroundings with ant repellant to drive ants from eating the earwigs.  He also gives water and crushed dog food to the insects twice a week. Most of all, he checks on the insects daily – in the morning, after work, and before bed time.

Compared to other insects that can be used for pest control such as spider, dragonfly or trichogramma, the earwig is easiest to culture. It can produce 300 offspring in 14 days, which are enough for easy application in one square meter. Earwigs paralyze and feed on the bodies of their preys, usually armyworms, thus preventing them from damaging crops even before they could feed on them.

Sabacan believes that earwigs are ideal for insect control in vegetables, as farmers would not only save on cost of inputs but also produce insecticide-free crops. After proving its effectiveness, he worked hard culturing earwigs and started recommending their use to farmers.

Already, farmers in Sto Domingo, Nueva Ecija are benefiting from Sabacan’s efforts.  For instance, the yield losses of Romulo Salamanca, who used to lose at least 25% of his expected yield despite using different insecticides, have dropped to 5 percent with insect damages only at the tip of corn ears. He also uses earwigs in his 1.2-hectare rice farm. Without using insecticides, his yields have been increasing and he has been saved from spending more than P2,000 for insecticides alone.

Mario Domingo of Brgy. Dolores, who has been farming for more than 30 years now, has become a firm believer of Sabacan’s “earwig technology.” He started to use it in 2006 in his three-hectare farm planted with rice, tomatoes, water gourd, and squash, saving at least P15,000 for chemical insecticides. He also used earwigs on his onion crop this year.

Domingo said the use of earwigs is well worth repeating. For this year’s onion crop, he did not use any chemical insecticide and saved around P70,000 per hectare by using earwigs and the PhilRice vesicular ambuscular mychorrizae (VAM).

His wife, Mrs. Neneng Domingo, said the farmers around their farm were very amazed at their onion plants, which grew fast and healthy without spending so much money.  As a result, they are now eager to use earwigs in the next cropping season.

For Sabacan, the mere thought of being able to help farmers gives him more than enough happiness and fulfillment as well as inspires him to continue culturing earwigs and discovering practical and environment-friendly farming practices.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/harvest-time/)

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