How to Get Rid of Earwigs: The Complete Guide to Eliminating These Pests

Earwigs may look intimidating with their sharp pincers, but they’re mostly harmless to humans. However, if you’ve noticed them creeping around your house or damaging your garden plants, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of earwigs once and for all.

These nocturnal insects thrive in moist, dark environments, making bathrooms, basements, and gardens their ideal hiding spots. If left unchecked, they can damage plants, invade homes, and create an unpleasant infestation.

In this guide, you’ll discover the most effective strategies for removing earwigs, including how to get rid of earwigs in your house fast and how to get rid of earwigs in the garden naturally.

What Attracts Earwigs to Your Home and Garden?

Understanding why earwigs invade is the first step in getting rid of them. Earwigs are drawn to:

✅ Damp and humid areas – Bathrooms, basements, and kitchens are their favorite indoor spots.
✅ Dark hiding places – They love to burrow under mulch, wood piles, and garden debris.
✅ Decaying plant matter – In gardens, they feed on rotting leaves, flowers, and vegetables.
✅ Bright lights at night – Outdoor lights attract earwigs, leading them closer to your home.

Now that you know why earwigs appear, let’s explore how to get rid of earwigs in your house and garden effectively.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your House Fast

If earwigs have made their way indoors, taking quick action is key to preventing a full-blown infestation.

1. Seal Entry Points

???? Inspect your home’s windows, doors, and foundation for tiny cracks.
???? Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal gaps and prevent entry.
???? Install door sweeps to block their access under doors.

2. Reduce Indoor Moisture

❌ Earwigs thrive in humidity—eliminating moisture is crucial.
✅ Use dehumidifiers in damp areas.
✅ Fix leaky pipes and faucets to cut off their water source.
✅ Ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms and basements.

3. Trap and Remove Earwigs

???? DIY Traps: Place damp rolled-up newspapers near infested areas overnight.
???? Cardboard Traps: Leave out a corrugated cardboard sheet—they’ll hide in it, making disposal easy.
???? Oil and Soy Sauce Trap: Fill a small dish with vegetable oil and soy sauce—earwigs will drown after being attracted to the scent.

4. Use Natural Repellents

???? Spray a mixture of water and essential oils (lavender, peppermint, or citrus) around windows, doors, and baseboards.
???? Sprinkle diatomaceous earth near entry points—this dehydrates and kills earwigs on contact.
???? Create a soap and water spray to eliminate earwigs instantly.

5. Vacuum and Dispose of Them

???? Use a vacuum cleaner to remove earwigs quickly.
???? Empty the vacuum outside your home to prevent them from escaping indoors.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden?

Gardens provide the perfect environment for earwigs. They feast on plants, flowers, and crops, causing noticeable damage. If you want to protect your plants, here’s how to get rid of earwigs in the garden effectively.

1. Remove Their Hiding Spots

???? Keep your garden tidy by:
✅ Removing dead leaves, mulch, and decaying wood where earwigs hide.
✅ Storing firewood and plant debris away from your house.
✅ Avoiding overwatering—moist soil attracts earwigs.

2. Set Traps in the Garden

???? Try these effective garden traps:
???? Tuna Can Trap – Fill an empty tuna can with oil and bury it in the soil; earwigs will crawl in and drown.
???? Rolled-Up Hose or Newspaper – Leave a damp hose or newspaper in the garden overnight. In the morning, shake out the earwigs into soapy water.

3. Encourage Natural Predators

???? Attract birds, toads, and frogs—they love feasting on earwigs.
???? Consider adding duck-friendly areas if you have a pond—they help control insect populations.

4. Use Organic Pesticides

???? Neem oil or pyrethrin sprays are safe for plants but deadly to earwigs.
???? Diatomaceous earth sprinkled around plants acts as a natural insect killer.

5. Install Protective Barriers

???? Use gravel, sand, or wood ash around your garden beds—earwigs dislike these textures and avoid crossing them.

How to Prevent Earwig Infestations in the Future?

Once you've eliminated the problem, follow these preventive measures to keep earwigs away:

???? Keep your home and garden dry – Reduce moisture buildup indoors and outdoors.
???? Seal entry points – Close cracks and crevices to prevent new infestations.
???? Turn off outdoor lights at night – Bright lights attract earwigs—use yellow or dim lighting instead.
???? Regularly clean gutters and drains – Stagnant water encourages earwig activity.
???? Store firewood and mulch properly – Keep these materials away from your home’s foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Earwigs

1. Do Earwigs Bite Humans?

No, earwigs do not bite, but their pincers might pinch if they feel threatened. They are harmless to humans.

2. What Do Earwigs Eat?

Earwigs feed on decaying plant matter, small insects, and garden vegetables like lettuce and strawberries.

3. How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Earwigs?

With consistent treatment, you can eliminate earwigs within 1–2 weeks and prevent them from returning.

4. Are Chemical Pesticides Necessary?

Not always! Natural remedies like diatomaceous earth, essential oils, and DIY traps work effectively without chemicals.

5. Why Are There Earwigs in My House?

Earwigs enter homes searching for moisture, food, or shelter. Fixing leaks and sealing gaps reduces their chances of getting inside.

Final Thoughts on How to Get Rid of Earwigs

Whether they’re hiding in your bathroom or munching on your garden plants, earwigs can be an annoying nuisance. The good news? You can get rid of them naturally and prevent future infestations with the right strategies.

By reducing moisture, using traps, and applying natural repellents, you can eliminate earwigs quickly while keeping your home and garden pest-free. Now that you know how to get rid of earwigs, take action today and enjoy a bug-free environment!