How to Get Rid of Earwigs: Simple Solutions for Your Home and Garden

Tech Mar 7, 2025 27 Add to Reading List

Earwigs, with their distinctive pincers, are common pests that can invade your home and garden, causing unwanted frustration. If you're looking for ways how to get rid of earwigs, you're in the right place. While these insects are not harmful to humans, their presence in your home or garden can be unsettling. Whether you're wondering how to get rid of earwigs in your house or how to get rid of earwigs in the garden, this guide will help you with practical, effective methods to keep these pests at bay.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your House

Earwigs are nocturnal pests that are often attracted to damp areas of your home. If you’re trying to figure out how to get rid of earwigs in house, there are several effective methods you can try.

1. Seal Entry Points

One of the best ways to get rid of earwigs in your house is to prevent them from entering in the first place. Inspect your home for cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations. These entry points can serve as gateways for earwigs. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these gaps and ensure earwigs cannot sneak inside.

2. Control Moisture Levels

Earwigs thrive in damp environments, so reducing moisture is essential for how to get rid of earwigs in your home. Fix leaky faucets, pipes, and drains. Additionally, consider using a dehumidifier in areas like the basement or bathroom where moisture tends to accumulate. Reducing humidity levels will discourage earwigs from settling in your home.

3. Use Traps for Quick Results

If you're in a hurry and need to know how to get rid of earwigs in your house fast, traps are a great option. You can create an easy earwig trap using shallow containers filled with vegetable oil or beer. Earwigs will be attracted to the scent and crawl in but won’t be able to escape. Check the traps daily and dispose of the earwigs promptly.

4. Natural Repellents

For a natural approach to getting rid of earwigs in your house, consider using essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus. These oils emit strong scents that earwigs dislike. Mix a few drops with water and spray it around windows, doors, and cracks. Diatomaceous earth is another natural solution. This fine powder can be sprinkled in areas where you've seen earwigs, and it works by dehydrating them on contact.

5. Chemical Solutions

In cases of severe infestations, you may need to resort to pesticides. Look for a product specifically designed to get rid of earwigs in your house. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, especially if you have pets or small children. Chemical treatments should be used sparingly and only as a last resort.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden

Earwigs can also cause significant damage in your garden by feeding on tender plants, flowers, and fruits. If you're looking for ways how to get rid of earwigs in the garden, here are several methods to control them.

1. Remove Hiding Places

Earwigs love dark, damp hiding places. To get rid of earwigs in the garden, start by cleaning up garden debris such as leaves, twigs, and grass clippings. Removing piles of mulch, dead plants, and other organic matter will reduce the places where earwigs can hide during the day. Additionally, trim back dense vegetation to make your garden less appealing to these pests.

2. Set Traps Around the Garden

Another effective solution for how to get rid of earwigs in the garden is to use traps. You can place rolled-up newspapers, cardboard tubes, or small containers filled with vegetable oil or beer around your plants. Earwigs will crawl inside these traps during the night. In the morning, simply collect and dispose of the trapped earwigs.

3. Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural and non-toxic way to get rid of earwigs in the garden. This powdery substance is harmless to humans and animals but deadly to pests like earwigs. Sprinkle it around the base of your plants or along the perimeter of your garden. Diatomaceous earth works by dehydrating earwigs when they come into contact with it, ultimately killing them.

4. Encourage Natural Predators

Another natural method for getting rid of earwigs in the garden is to encourage beneficial predators, such as birds, frogs, and certain insects, which feed on earwigs. You can also introduce ladybugs, which are effective in controlling other pests, creating a more balanced ecosystem in your garden.

5. Use Nematodes

Nematodes are microscopic worms that target earwig larvae in the soil. Introducing nematodes into your garden can help reduce the earwig population before they become adults and start causing damage to your plants. These beneficial organisms are a safe, eco-friendly way to get rid of earwigs in the garden.

6. Chemical Pesticides for the Garden

If other methods are not effective, you may need to use pesticides. Choose a pesticide that is specifically designed for earwigs and is safe to use on plants. Always read the label carefully to ensure it is safe for the types of plants in your garden, and follow the application instructions closely.

Preventing Future Earwig Infestations

Once you've successfully gotten rid of earwigs, it’s important to take preventive measures to avoid future infestations.

Seal Entry Points Regularly check for cracks, gaps, or holes in your home’s exterior and seal them to prevent earwigs from getting inside. Pay special attention to the foundation, windows, and doors.
Keep Your Home Dry Since earwigs are attracted to moisture, keeping your home dry will discourage them from entering. Regularly check for leaks, and consider using a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements and bathrooms.
Maintain Your Garden Keep your garden tidy by removing dead plants, leaves, and other debris that provide hiding spots for earwigs. Trim back overgrown vegetation and avoid over-watering, as earwigs thrive in moist environments.

Conclusion

Knowing how to get rid of earwigs is essential for keeping your home and garden pest-free. Whether you’re dealing with earwigs indoors or in your garden, a combination of prevention, traps, and natural repellents can help you manage and eliminate these pests effectively. For more significant infestations, chemical solutions may be necessary. By following the steps outlined in this post, you’ll be equipped to handle earwigs in both your home and garden, ensuring a peaceful, pest-free environment for you and your family.