Wignest

Wignest is a newly developed bioactive refuge that boosts numbers of earwigs and other beneficial predators of pests in apple and pear orchards.

Key features

Boosts predators that feed on a wide range of important pest species in orchards
Significantly increases earwig populations
Pre-loaded with earwig food attractant
Offers protection against pesticide spray applications
Perfect for organic or conventional orchards
Lasts up to 3 years

wiggy character pointing at a wignest refuge shelter in a apple tree

Easy to use

Place one Wignest per tree at leaf bud-burst on a branch against the trunk of the tree within the lower tree canopy. The research partners consider that even placing 1 every 3 trees will result in significant benefits to boosting beneficials.
For young trees on a post and wire system, wedge the Wignest between the tree and the post, hanging from the wire or a small branch.

Which pests do earwigs feed on?

Earwigs feed on a wide range of pest species including:

Codling Moth

Major pests of apple and pear crops
Larvae feed directly on the fruit
Significant losses from codling moth every year in most orchards

Pear Sucker

Nymphs suck sap, the honeydew they produce is colonised by sooty mould
Yield, fruit size and skin quality redused
High losses in profitability

Woolly Apple Aphid

An important pest that is difficult to control. It can affect tree’ health and cause significant crop damage or loss.
Reduces tree limbs and root stock
Established rapidly in orchards

Why choose Wignest?

Wignest boosts numbers of earwigs. Earwigs have proven invaluable within pome fruit orchards. They prey upon and significantly reduce numbers of damaging pests, such as the pear sucker, codling moth and woolly apple aphid.

Why so few earwigs?

Due to pesticide use and lack of shelter and food, earwigs are less successful in establishing in some pome fruit orchards. The earwig only produces one generation per year, so numbers can be diminished by insecticide use and soil disturbance if targeted during vulnerable stages of their life cycle. Providing shelter and food helps to establish a healthy population which will readily feed on pests.

Not just earwigs

The Wignest not only attracts earwigs, it provides shelter for a wide range of predatory species throughout the year, including ladybirds, spiders and lacewings.