Denver, CO

did you ever think about putting insect netting over those hoop house frames?

Other than stronger and more chemicals I don't know how else to make your garden scorched earth. Indiscriminate use of chemicals might have contributed to your over population of insects. Grasshoppers come in cycles so they should soon be gone and frankly I believe earwigs do more good than harm since they feed mostly on decaying matter (composters) and insects. Going forward I suggest you carefully target harmful insects if they pose a serious threat and allow less troublesome organisms to remain. Unless humans intervene , nature usually keeps things in balance.

@klem1 thank you! If I’m understanding your post, you think that the neem oil and diatomaceous earth may actually have contributed to the over population? The only other thing I’ve used in the backyard was a nitrogen lawn food. I agree about keeping nature in check and don’t want to kill anything without a reason to, but I don’t love them chomping on my veggies :/

Most serious gardeners’ experience with earwigs is anything but benign, klem1!

Neem is most effective as an anti-feedant and a growth regulator. Don Don’t expect it to be a contact killer. Every year I mention Surround WP as a highly effective barrier for all feeding pests and I will bring it up again.

Surround WP creates a barrier film on the tissues of plant leaves and fruits that invertebrates avoid chewing, puncturing, laying eggs through. It must be applied according to label directions, it is 100% organic. Don’t apply when bees are active and avoid flowers.

I have used it to repel squash bugs and chewing beetles, caterpillars, aphids. It also prevents cabbage moths from laying their eggs as long as I spray early enough.

It also prevents sun scald and burn on tender fruit skins but that’s another chapter.