How to Get Rid of Earwigs: Effective and Natural Methods for Controlling Earwig Infestations

Earwigs are small, dark brown insects with pincers (cerci) at the rear of their abdomen. While their menacing appearance can cause alarm, earwigs are relatively harmless to humans. However, these nocturnal pests can become a nuisance when they invade homes or gardens. If you’ve discovered earwigs in your space, you’re probably eager to know how to get rid of earwigs quickly and effectively. Fortunately, there are a variety of methods—both natural and chemical—that can eliminate earwigs and prevent them from returning.

Introduction

Earwigs thrive in dark, damp environments and are commonly found outdoors in mulch, under rocks, or in garden debris. They enter homes seeking shelter, moisture, or food, especially during hot or rainy weather. Although they don’t spread disease, earwigs can cause damage to plants by feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruits. Additionally, large infestations indoors can be unsettling.

This guide will provide a comprehensive look at how to get rid of earwigs in your home and garden using safe and effective techniques.

What Attracts Earwigs to Your Home?

Before diving into removal methods, it’s essential to understand what draws earwigs to your space in the first place. By eliminating the conditions they prefer, you can reduce the likelihood of infestations.

Earwigs are attracted to:

• Moisture: Damp areas such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and crawl spaces are common places where earwigs hide.
• Shelter: Piles of leaves, wood, mulch, and garden debris offer shelter for earwigs.
• Food sources: Earwigs feed on decaying organic matter, insects, and plants. In homes, they might eat leftover crumbs, pet food, or even houseplants.

Once you’ve identified the conditions that attract earwigs, you can use a combination of preventative and extermination techniques to get rid of them.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs Naturally

If you’re looking for eco-friendly ways to eliminate earwigs without using harsh chemicals, several natural solutions can be highly effective.

Reduce Moisture

Because earwigs are attracted to damp environments, eliminating moisture is one of the most effective ways to control them. Here’s how to reduce moisture in and around your home:

• Fix leaky faucets and pipes: Check under sinks, in the bathroom, and around your home’s foundation for any leaks that could be attracting earwigs.
• Use a dehumidifier: In areas prone to dampness, like basements and crawl spaces, use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels.
• Improve ventilation: Make sure bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are well-ventilated to prevent excess humidity.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder made from fossilized diatoms. It’s harmless to humans and pets but deadly to insects like earwigs. When insects come into contact with DE, it absorbs the oils from their exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die.

• How to apply DE: Sprinkle DE in areas where earwigs are likely to travel, such as around the foundation of your home, along baseboards, and in any cracks or crevices.

Make sure to reapply DE after rain or cleaning, as moisture can render it ineffective.

Create Earwig Traps

One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to get rid of earwigs is to create homemade traps using common household items. Here are a few effective traps you can try:

Oil and Soy Sauce Trap

Earwigs are attracted to the smell of oil, making an oil and soy sauce trap an excellent way to capture them.

1. Take a small, shallow container (like a tuna can) and fill it with equal parts vegetable oil and soy sauce.
2. Place the container near areas where you’ve noticed earwig activity, such as along walls or in damp corners.
3. The earwigs will be attracted to the scent, fall into the mixture, and drown.

Rolled Newspaper Trap

A rolled-up newspaper can serve as a shelter for earwigs, trapping them inside overnight.

1. Dampen a newspaper, roll it up, and place it in areas where earwigs are active.
2. In the morning, carefully pick up the newspaper and discard it outside (away from your home) or into a sealed plastic bag.

Repeating this process over several days can help significantly reduce earwig numbers.

Use Essential Oils as a Natural Repellent

Certain essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, act as natural insect repellents. Here’s how to use them to keep earwigs away:

1. Mix 10–15 drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the solution around entry points, such as doors, windows, and cracks in the foundation.
3. Reapply every few days to maintain effectiveness.

The strong scent of these oils helps deter earwigs from entering your home while leaving a pleasant aroma behind.

Chemical Methods to Get Rid of Earwigs

For severe infestations or persistent earwig problems, chemical treatments may be necessary. However, they should be used with caution, particularly around pets and children.

Insecticidal Dusts

Insecticidal dust can be used in areas where earwigs hide, such as cracks, crevices, and crawl spaces. These dusts contain chemicals like pyrethrin or silica gel, which are toxic to earwigs and other crawling insects.

• Apply the dust in key areas where earwigs are likely to enter or hide.
• Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep pets and children away from treated areas until it is safe.

Bait Traps

Commercial bait traps specifically designed for earwigs are available at most hardware stores. These traps contain insecticides that lure earwigs in and poison them when consumed.

Place the traps around the perimeter of your home, in the garden, and in other high-traffic areas to effectively reduce the earwig population.

Liquid Insecticides

If the infestation is widespread, liquid insecticides can be sprayed around the outside of your home’s foundation, in mulch beds, and along window and door frames.

• Choose an insecticide labeled for earwig control and follow the directions carefully.
• Make sure to reapply after rain, as moisture can wash away the insecticide, reducing its effectiveness.

How to Prevent Earwigs from Coming Back

Once you’ve gotten rid of earwigs, taking steps to prevent future infestations is crucial. Here are some practical prevention tips:

Seal Cracks and Entry Points

Earwigs can enter your home through small gaps around windows, doors, and the foundation. Seal these entry points by:

• Caulking cracks and crevices around windows and doors.
• Installing weather stripping around door frames.
• Using screening to cover vents and drains.

By sealing off these access points, you’ll make it much harder for earwigs to find their way inside.

Maintain a Tidy Garden

Earwigs thrive in outdoor environments where there’s plenty of moisture and debris. To prevent them from entering your home, keep your garden clean and dry by:

• Removing leaf litter and garden debris regularly.
• Trimming plants so that they don’t touch the foundation of your home.
• Keeping firewood, compost bins, and mulch piles at least 10 feet away from your house.

Control Moisture in and Around Your Home

As mentioned earlier, moisture is a significant attractant for earwigs. Here’s how to control it:

• Fix leaky faucets and pipes: Address any plumbing issues inside and outside your home.
• Improve drainage: Ensure that your yard has proper drainage to prevent standing water near the foundation.
• Install gutters: Make sure your home’s gutters and downspouts direct water away from the house.

Use Outdoor Lighting Strategically

Earwigs are nocturnal and are attracted to light, which means they may be drawn to outdoor lighting around your home. To reduce this:

• Use yellow bug lights, which are less attractive to insects.
• Position outdoor lights away from doors and windows to avoid luring earwigs close to entry points.

FAQs

1. Are earwigs harmful to humans?

Ans – Despite their scary appearance, earwigs are not harmful to humans. They do not bite, sting, or spread disease. However, they can cause damage to plants and become a nuisance indoors.

2. Can earwigs infest my house?

Ans – While earwigs can enter homes seeking moisture or shelter, they do not typically infest homes in the same way as ants or cockroaches. Most earwigs prefer to live outdoors and will only come inside under certain conditions.

3. What smells repel earwigs?

Ans – Earwigs are repelled by strong scents like peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus. Using essential oils made from these plants can help deter earwigs from entering your home.

4. Do earwigs eat plants?

Ans – Yes, earwigs can feed on plants, particularly seedlings, soft fruits, and decaying organic matter. While they do provide some benefits by eating other pests, large populations can cause damage to garden plants.

5. How do I get rid of earwigs in my garden?

Ans – To eliminate earwigs in the garden, use traps, remove debris, and reduce moisture. Consider using diatomaceous earth or essential oil sprays as natural deterrents.

6. Can earwigs fly?

Ans – While earwigs have wings, they rarely fly. Instead, they prefer to crawl through small cracks and crevices in search of food and shelter.

Conclusion

Earwigs may not pose a direct threat to humans, but they can be a nuisance both inside and outside your home. By taking the right preventative measures and using a combination of natural remedies and chemical treatments, you can get rid of earwigs and keep them from coming back.

Reducing moisture, sealing entry points, and maintaining a tidy garden are key steps in controlling these pests. With the methods outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to eliminate earwigs for good.