How to Get Rid of Earwigs

Earwigs, also known as pincher bugs, are common pests that can quickly become trouble when they infest homes and gardens. Although their menacing pincers may seem intimidating, these insects are not harmful to humans. However, their presence causes significant damage to plants, and they can also be unsettling to see indoors. Fortunately, there are effective DIY methods to get rid of earwigs without using harmful chemicals. In this comprehensive DIY guide, we will explore various techniques to manage and eliminate these pests from your home and garden. Additionally, if your earwig problem becomes overwhelming, we will discuss when it may be necessary to contact professional pest control services. Before we explore the DIY methods for getting rid of earwigs, let’s take a minute to understand why earwigs infest our homes.

Understanding Why Earwigs Enter Homes

Before diving into how to eliminate earwigs using DIY methods, it’s crucial to understand why these pests are attracted to your home in the first place. Earwigs are nocturnal insects that live in moist and dark environments. Earwigs enter our homes for the following reasons: 1. Moisture One of the primary reasons earwigs enter homes is their attraction to moisture. High humidity levels, leaks, and condensation in areas such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms create the perfect habitat for them. Outside, earwigs are often found in moist soil, garden beds, and under piles of leaves or mulch. This environment allows them to thrive, and when conditions outside become dry or unfavorable, they may move indoors to find a more suitable environment. 2. Hiding Spots Earwigs love to hide in dark, secluded places where they can avoid predators and remain undisturbed. Inside your home, these pests are likely to hide in cracks, crevices, and damp corners. Outdoors, they tend to hide under mulch, leaf piles, stones, and garden debris. Providing them with fewer hiding spots is one of the most effective ways to get rid of earwigs and prevent future infestations. 3. Food Sources Earwigs are omnivores, meaning they consume both plant material and other small insects. Outdoors, they may chew on plants, fruits, vegetables, and decaying organic matter. Indoors, they can be attracted to crumbs, food scraps, or organic debris. Reducing the availability of food both inside and outside your home can help deter earwigs from taking up residence in your living spaces. Now that we know why earwigs infest our homes, we can focus on how to get rid of earwigs using DIY methods.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your House Fast

If earwigs have invaded your home, you’ll want to act quickly to get rid of earwigs before their numbers multiply. Here are several DIY methods that can help you eliminate earwigs in your house efficiently: Reduce Moisture Levels As mentioned earlier, earwigs thrive in damp environments. To make your home less appealing to them, reducing moisture is a key step:

• Use Dehumidifiers: Placing dehumidifiers in moisture-prone areas such as basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms can significantly reduce the humidity levels in these spaces. This will make your home less hospitable to earwigs and other moisture-loving pests.
• Fix Leaky Pipes and Faucets: Regularly inspect your home for any leaks or drips in plumbing fixtures. Fix any leaks promptly, as standing water and excess moisture will attract earwigs.

Seal Entry Points Preventing earwigs from entering your home is an effective method of getting rid of earwigs. These insects can slip through even the smallest cracks and gaps, so it’s important to thoroughly inspect your home and seal any potential pointry of entering.

• Caulk Cracks and Gaps: Use silicone caulk to seal any gaps around windows, doors, and the foundation of your home. Be sure to check baseboards, window sills, and other areas where small gaps may allow earwigs to enter.
• Weatherstripping: Install weatherstripping around doors and windows to create a tight seal that prevents earwigs from slipping through. Check that door sweeps are intact and that there are no gaps between doors and the floor.
• Repair Screens: If you have damaged or torn window screens, repair or replace them. Earwigs can easily enter through broken screens, so it’s important to keep them in good condition.

By sealing off entry points, you can effectively reduce the chances of earwigs getting into your home, making it easier to keep them under control.

DIY Traps for Earwigs

Setting up DIY traps is a highly effective way to get rid of earwigs without resorting to harsh chemicals. There are several types of traps you can create using household materials:

• Oil and Soy Sauce Trap: One of the most popular DIY methods involves using a shallow dish filled with a mixture of vegetable oil and soy sauce. The scent of the soy sauce attracts earwigs, and the oil traps and kills them. Place these traps in areas where you’ve seen earwig activity, such as in corners, near baseboards, or under sinks.
• Damp Newspaper Trap: Another effective trap involves rolling up a damp newspaper and leaving it out overnight. Earwigs will crawl inside the paper to seek shelter. In the morning, you can discard the newspaper (with the earwigs inside) in a sealed plastic bag.

These traps are simple to set up, non-toxic, and provide an easy solution for reducing earwig populations inside your home. Vacuuming Vacuuming regularly is a fast and effective way to remove earwigs from your home. Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to reach into cracks, crevices, and corners where earwigs may be hiding. Focus on areas like baseboards, under furniture, and around moist areas such as sinks and bathtubs.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden

If you’re dealing with earwigs in the garden, you may notice damage to plants, particularly younger ones, as well as fruits and vegetables. Earwigs can cause considerable harm to gardens if left unchecked. Here’s how to get rid of earwigs in your garden using DIY methods: Remove Garden Debris Earwigs love to hide under piles of garden debris, such as dead leaves, mulch, and compost. Regularly cleaning up these materials will eliminate their hiding spots and make your garden less inviting to these pests. Rake Mulch: Keep mulch away from the foundation of your home and garden beds. This will create a dry zone that earwigs are less likely to cross. Remove Dead Leaves: Regularly clear your garden of dead leaves, fallen fruit, and decaying plant material. These materials provide both shelter and food for earwigs, so removing them will discourage earwigs from settling in your garden.

DIY Outdoor Traps

Just as with indoor traps, you can set up DIY traps outdoors to catch and kill earwigs in your garden:

• Oil and Soy Sauce Trap: Place shallow containers filled with a mixture of vegetable oil and soy sauce in your garden near plants that have been damaged by earwigs. The scent will lure the insects into the container, where they will drown in the oil.
• Cardboard or Newspaper Traps: Lay damp cardboard or rolled-up newspapers around your garden beds. In the morning, check these traps for earwigs and dispose of the traps along with the insects.

These outdoor traps are highly effective at reducing the earwig population in your garden, allowing your plants to thrive without the threat of damage. Create a Dry Zone Around Your Home Earwigs are less likely to thrive in dry environments. By creating a “dry zone” around your home and garden, you can deter them from venturing too close. Here’s how to create this barrier: Remove Mulch and Organic Material: Keep a six- to twelve-inch barrier around your home’s foundation free of mulch, leaves, and other organic material. These materials retain moisture, which attracts earwigs. Use Gravel or Dry Soil: Replace mulch or organic material near your home with gravel or dry soil. This will create a less hospitable environment for earwigs, reducing their chances of getting too close to your home or garden.

Protect Your Plants from Earwigs

Earwigs can damage plants, especially younger and tender ones. Protecting your garden from these pests is crucial if you want your plants to thrive. Here are some ways to protect your plants: Diatomaceous Earth (DE): This non-toxic, natural powder is one of the most effective solutions for controlling earwigs in the garden. When sprinkled around the base of your plants, DE dehydrates and kills earwigs on contact. Since it’s safe for humans, pets, and plants, it’s an ideal solution for organic gardening. Insecticidal Soap: Another natural way to protect your plants is by using insecticidal soap. You can spray this solution directly on earwigs and plants. The soap will kill earwigs and other soft-bodied insects without harming your plants. Barrier Methods: Physical barriers like row covers or plant collars can also help protect your plants from earwigs. These barriers prevent the insects from reaching your plants while still allowing air and water to pass through. By using these methods, you’ll be able to get rid of earwigs in your garden and keep your plants safe from further damage.

Preventing Earwigs from Returning

Once you’ve successfully eliminated earwigs from your home and garden, the next step is to implement strategies to prevent them from returning. Preventative measures are key to keeping your home earwig-free in the long run. Here’s how you can keep earwigs at bay: 1. Improve Drainage in Your Yard Excess moisture is one of the main reasons earwigs are attracted to your garden and home. Improving drainage in your yard can significantly reduce the likelihood of an earwig infestation. Make sure your garden is well-drained and that rainwater is not pooling around your home’s foundation. Ensure that gutters and downspouts are directing water away from your house to prevent excess moisture near the foundation. 2. Remove Hiding Spots Earwigs love to hide in dark, moist places, so eliminating potential hiding spots is crucial for keeping them away. Here’s how to reduce earwig-hiding spots:

• Stack Firewood Off the Ground: If you store firewood outdoors, make sure it is elevated on a rack and kept away from the walls of your home. Firewood piles provide the perfect environment for earwigs to hide, so keeping them off the ground will make your home less attractive to these pests.
• Trim Overgrown Vegetation: Overgrown shrubs, plants, and trees near your home’s foundation create shaded, damp areas that earwigs love. Trimming back this vegetation will reduce the number of hiding spots for these pests.

3. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance Maintaining a clean home and yard is one of the best ways to prevent earwigs from returning. Regular vacuuming and dusting will help keep moisture and food sources to a minimum. Make sure to clean up crumbs and organic matter that could attract earwigs. In your garden, regularly remove debris, leaves, and other organic material that could provide shelter for earwigs.

When to Call a Professional Pest Control Service

While DIY methods are effective for most minor earwig infestations, there are situations where professional pest control services are necessary. If you’ve tried several DIY solutions but continue to see earwigs in your house or garden, it may be time to seek professional help. Professional exterminators can offer more comprehensive solutions and access to stronger treatments that are not available to homeowners. Here are some signs that it may be time to call a professional: Persistent Infestation: If you’ve tried multiple DIY methods but are still seeing large numbers of earwigs, a professional can conduct a thorough inspection to determine the source of the infestation. Damage to Plants: If earwigs in the garden are causing significant damage to your plants, professional pest control can provide stronger, more targeted treatments to protect your garden. Moisture Issues: If your home has ongoing moisture problems that are attracting earwigs, a professional can help identify and resolve these issues, as well as provide long-term solutions for keeping earwigs out. Professional pest control services can provide a customized treatment plan that targets the root of the problem, eliminating earwigs effictevely.