How to Get Rid of Earwigs: A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Your Home and Garden

Earwigs are often considered unwanted guests in our homes and gardens. While they are not typically dangerous to humans, they can be a nuisance when they invade living spaces or damage plants. If you’re searching for how to get rid of earwigs, you’ve come to the right place!

In this post, we will explore the most effective methods for how to get rid of earwigs in your house fast, how to get rid of earwigs in the house, and how to get rid of earwigs in the garden. Whether you’re facing an earwig infestation indoors or want to protect your plants, these techniques will help you get rid of them quickly and efficiently.

What Are Earwigs?

Earwigs (Forficula auricularia) are small, nocturnal insects known for their distinctive pincers. These insects are typically brown or black and thrive in damp, dark environments. Earwigs are commonly found in gardens and homes, feeding on organic matter such as plants and decaying material.

Despite their somewhat unsettling appearance, earwigs are not harmful to humans and rarely bite. However, they can cause damage to plants and can become a nuisance if they infest your home.

Why Do Earwigs Come Inside Your House?

Earwigs may seek shelter indoors for the following reasons:
✔ Damp environments – They prefer dark, moist areas, such as basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.
✔ Food sources – Earwigs can feed on food scraps or decaying organic matter found in homes.
✔ Protection from weather – In cold or wet weather, earwigs may invade your home in search of a safe place to hide.

Now that we understand the problem, let’s dive into how to get rid of earwigs in house and other places.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your House Fast

If earwigs have made their way indoors, you’ll want to take action fast to prevent them from spreading. Here are some effective ways to get rid of earwigs in your house fast:

1. Eliminate Moisture Sources

Earwigs are attracted to moisture, so the first step in getting rid of them is to dry out your home.
✔ Fix leaking pipes in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
✔ Use a dehumidifier to control humidity levels in damp areas.
✔ Open windows or use fans to improve air circulation in musty rooms.

2. Seal Entry Points

Earwigs can enter your home through even the smallest cracks. To prevent further infestation:
✔ Inspect windows and doors for gaps and seal them with weatherstripping or caulk.
✔ Install door sweeps to block earwigs from crawling under doors.
✔ Close all cracks and crevices in walls and baseboards.

3. Use Traps to Catch Earwigs

Setting traps is one of the easiest ways to get rid of earwigs inside your home.
✔ Oil Trap – Pour vegetable oil into a shallow dish, add soy sauce (optional), and place it near areas where earwigs are active. They’ll be attracted to the smell and will drown in the oil.
✔ Newspaper Trap – Roll up a damp newspaper and place it in areas where earwigs are hiding. In the morning, shake out the earwigs and discard them in a trash bag.
✔ Sticky Tape Trap – Place double-sided sticky tape along baseboards or windowsills to catch earwigs as they crawl.

4. Apply Natural Repellents

You can use natural ingredients to repel earwigs without harmful chemicals.
???? Essential oils – Mix peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, or tea tree oil with water and spray it in areas where earwigs are found.
???? Diatomaceous earth (DE) – Sprinkle food-grade DE around baseboards, cracks, and crevices. It will dehydrate and kill earwigs without harming your family or pets.
???? Vinegar spray – Combine equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where earwigs are present.

5. Regular Cleaning and Vacuuming

To prevent earwigs from making themselves comfortable, clean your home regularly:
✔ Vacuum carpets, rugs, and floors to pick up any earwigs hiding indoors.
✔ Dispose of the vacuum bag outside to prevent earwigs from re-entering the home.
✔ Clean behind furniture, appliances, and other dark spaces where earwigs may be hiding.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden

Earwigs are also common in gardens, where they can cause significant damage to plants, flowers, and vegetables. Here’s how to get rid of earwigs in the garden:

1. Remove Hiding Places

Earwigs love hiding in moist, dark areas. By removing these hiding spots, you can significantly reduce the earwig population in your garden.
✔ Clear away dead leaves, woodpiles, and other debris around your garden beds.
✔ Trim overgrown shrubs and plants to allow better airflow and light.
✔ Water your garden early in the day, so the soil dries out by nightfall.

2. Set Traps in Your Garden

Traps are an excellent way to get rid of earwigs in the garden.
✔ Beer Trap – Bury a small container in your garden and fill it with beer. Earwigs are attracted to the yeast, and they will drown in the liquid.
✔ Oil Trap – Place a shallow container with vegetable oil around your garden. Earwigs will crawl in and become trapped.
✔ Damp Towel Trap – Lay a damp towel on the ground overnight. In the morning, shake it out to collect earwigs and dispose of them in soapy water.

3. Apply Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is an effective and natural way to control earwigs in your garden.
✔ Sprinkle food-grade DE around your garden beds and plants.
✔ DE works by damaging the earwigs' exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate and die.

4. Encourage Beneficial Predators

Earwigs have natural predators that can help control their population:
✔ Birds – Attract birds by setting up birdhouses or feeders in your garden.
✔ Toads and Frogs – Create a small pond or water feature to encourage toads and frogs, which feed on earwigs.
✔ Ladybugs – Ladybugs are another natural predator of earwigs.

Preventing Future Earwig Infestations

Once you’ve gotten rid of earwigs, it’s essential to take steps to prevent them from returning:

Indoor Prevention

✔ Fix any moisture problems by using dehumidifiers, fixing leaks, and improving ventilation.
✔ Seal cracks and crevices in walls, windows, and doors to block entry.
✔ Continue using natural repellents such as essential oils, DE, and vinegar sprays.

Outdoor Prevention

✔ Keep your garden tidy by removing debris, mulch, and overgrown plants.
✔ Create dry barriers around the foundation of your home using gravel or sand.
✔ Encourage natural predators by attracting birds and toads to your garden.

Conclusion: How to Get Rid of Earwigs for Good

Earwigs are a frustrating but manageable pest. By using the methods outlined in this post, you can learn how to get rid of earwigs both inside your home and in your garden. Whether you need to eliminate them fast or prevent future infestations, these techniques will ensure a pest-free living space.

Taking proactive steps to reduce moisture, seal entry points, and use natural traps and repellents will help you stay ahead of earwig infestations. Now, you can enjoy a peaceful, earwig-free home and garden!