I would like to cut and bring in some of my beautiful peonie blossoms. However I don't want the hidden ants, etc. how do I remove insects from them prior to entering the house?

How about a good spray with the garden hose? Gene

I've not tried this before, but maybe putting them in a vase with sugar water. that might entice the critters down from the flowers and then you can nab them.

I think the short answer is that you can't, not completely. You could try gently tapping the flowers on a hard surface to encourage them to leave. I would think spraying with a garden hose might spoil the flowers. Gently shaking or tapping the critters out may not get rid of any lurking deep inside the flowers but should reduce the numbers.

Would submerging the flowers ruin them? Insects won't stay under water long and they will very quickly float to the surface.

I like to cut my dhalia from the back yard and arranged them.How can i get rids of the earwigs from the flowers?