How to Get Rid of Earwigs: Proven Methods for a Pest-Free Home and Garden

Earwigs can be a nuisance, whether they’re invading your home or damaging plants in your garden. While they don’t bite or sting, their presence can be unsettling, especially when they appear in large numbers.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of earwigs, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the most effective strategies for eliminating them from your home and garden. We'll also cover how to get rid of earwigs in house, how to get rid of earwigs in your house fast, and how to get rid of earwigs in the garden.

What Are Earwigs and Why Are They a Problem?

Earwigs (Forficula auricularia) are small, brownish-black insects with long bodies and pincers at the end of their abdomen. These nocturnal insects hide in dark, moist places during the day and come out at night to feed on plants, decaying matter, and even other insects.

Signs of an Earwig Infestation

✔ Seeing live earwigs in your home, especially at night.
✔ Finding chewed leaves and damaged plants in your garden.
✔ Spotting earwigs in damp areas like basements, bathrooms, or kitchens.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your House Fast

If you’ve found earwigs inside, don’t panic! Here’s how to remove them quickly and prevent them from coming back.

1. Reduce Moisture Levels

Since earwigs are attracted to damp areas, controlling moisture is the first step.
✔ Use a dehumidifier in humid spaces like basements and laundry rooms.
✔ Fix leaky pipes, faucets, and drains to eliminate excess moisture.
✔ Improve ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, and crawl spaces.

2. Seal Entry Points

Prevent earwigs from sneaking into your home by sealing cracks and gaps.
✔ Check doors, windows, and walls for tiny openings.
✔ Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal gaps.
✔ Install door sweeps to block access under doors.

3. Use DIY Earwig Traps

Homemade traps can help you get rid of earwigs in your house fast.
✔ Oil and Soy Sauce Trap – Mix vegetable oil and soy sauce in a shallow dish. The scent attracts earwigs, and they drown in the mixture.
✔ Rolled-Up Newspaper Trap – Place a damp newspaper roll in affected areas. Earwigs hide inside, and you can dispose of it in the morning.
✔ Sticky Tape Trap – Place double-sided tape along baseboards and entry points to catch crawling earwigs.

4. Use Natural Repellents

Natural solutions can help keep earwigs out of your home.
???? Essential Oils – Mix peppermint, lavender, or tea tree oil with water and spray around doors, windows, and cracks.
???? Diatomaceous Earth (DE) – Sprinkle food-grade DE in areas where earwigs are active. This natural powder dehydrates and kills them.

5. Vacuum and Dispose of Earwigs

✔ Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up earwigs from floors, walls, and corners.
✔ Dispose of the vacuum bag outside immediately to prevent reinfestation.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden

Earwigs can damage plants, flowers, and vegetables, so controlling them in your garden is important.

1. Remove Their Hiding Spots

Since earwigs love dark, damp environments, removing these areas can help reduce their population.
✔ Clear away mulch, dead leaves, and wood piles near plants.
✔ Trim overgrown vegetation to improve airflow and reduce moisture.
✔ Keep garden beds dry by avoiding excessive watering.

2. Set Up Garden Traps

Traps can help eliminate earwigs in the garden naturally.
✔ Oil and Water Trap – Fill a shallow dish with vegetable oil and water and place it near plants. Earwigs crawl in and drown.
✔ Beer Trap – Bury a small container of beer in the soil. The yeast attracts earwigs, trapping them inside.
✔ Damp Cloth or Towel Trap – Leave a damp towel in the garden overnight. In the morning, shake the trapped earwigs into a bucket of soapy water.

3. Encourage Natural Predators

Introducing natural enemies can help keep earwig populations in check.
✔ Birds – Install bird feeders and baths to attract birds that eat earwigs.
✔ Frogs and Toads – Create a small water source to encourage them in your garden.
✔ Ladybugs and Lacewings – These beneficial insects feed on earwigs and other garden pests.

4. Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

✔ Sprinkle food-grade DE around your garden beds and plant bases.
✔ The powder dehydrates and kills earwigs without harming plants.

5. Apply Neem Oil Spray

Neem oil disrupts earwig feeding and reproduction.
✔ Mix neem oil with water and spray it on plants in the evening.
✔ Repeat this treatment every few days for best results.

Preventing Future Earwig Infestations

Once you’ve gotten rid of earwigs, take these steps to keep them from coming back.

Indoor Prevention Tips

✔ Keep your home dry – Fix leaks and use a dehumidifier.
✔ Seal cracks and gaps – Use caulk and weatherstripping.
✔ Use repellents – Spray essential oils or Diatomaceous Earth in entry points.

Outdoor Prevention Tips

✔ Keep your garden tidy – Remove dead leaves, wood, and excess mulch.
✔ Create a dry barrier – Use gravel or dry soil around your home’s foundation.
✔ Encourage natural predators – Birds, frogs, and beneficial insects help control earwig populations.

Final Thoughts: How to Get Rid of Earwigs for Good

Earwigs can be annoying, but with the right approach, you can remove them quickly and effectively. By reducing moisture, sealing entry points, setting traps, and using natural repellents, you can successfully get rid of earwigs in house fast and prevent future infestations.

With these simple and effective strategies, you’ll enjoy an earwig-free home and garden all year round!