Try these DIY traps:
- Rolled – up damp newspaper: They crawl in overnight. Dispose in the morning.
- Vegetable oil & soy sauce trap: Equal parts in a shallow dish. The smell lures them, and the oil drowns them.
- Sticky tape or traps: Place near baseboards, doorways.
In the garden, earwigs eat decomposing matter and pests, but too many can harm plants. Control them like this:
- Clear debris: Leaf piles, woodpiles, old plants.
- Use less mulch near the house.
- Turn over rocks and logs during the day.
- Attract natural predators: Birds, frogs, toads. Add a bird feeder or water source.
- Use food – grade diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle around plants and soil. It dehydrates and kills earwigs without harming pets or good insects.
- Neem oil and essential oils: Neem disrupts their growth. Peppermint, cinnamon, eucalyptus repel them.
Prevent earwigs from coming back:
- Keep indoor spaces dry: Fix leaks, wipe damp areas, use a dehumidifier.
- Store firewood and mulch away: At least 5 – 10 feet from the house.
- Install proper drainage: Gutters and downspouts should direct water away.
- Use outdoor lights sparingly: Earwigs are attracted to light.
If earwigs keep showing up in large numbers, call a professional pest control service. They can assess and treat the infestation safely.
Earwigs look scary but are mostly harmless to humans. Their pincers may pinch, but they don’t bite, sting, or carry diseases. A sudden indoor increase may mean too much moisture or a food source. Fix these issues and use pest control methods to keep them away. If the problem persists, professionals can offer a long – term solution.
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