How to Eliminate Earwigs From Houseplants and Damp Areas

Earwigs might seem terrifying with their pincers and the rapid, skittering movements they make when spotted. However, despite the many myths about them, including the one about them crawling into your ear while you sleep, earwigs are generally harmless. Even so, if you come across these insects in your home, you may want to eliminate them quickly. There are effective methods to get rid of earwigs and strategies to ensure your home isn't an inviting place for them to thrive.

What Exactly Are Earwigs?

Earwigs are small, flattened insects that have a reddish-brown hue. They typically reach a length of about 5/8 inch and possess small wings. These insects are most famous for their distinct pincers and long, sensitive antennae. While they use their pincers (cerci) for self-defense and capturing prey, they pose little to no threat to humans.

These creatures are nocturnal and prefer damp, shadowy spots like mulch or beneath stones. Their diet consists of leaves, flowers, fruits, and occasionally other insects, but they do not feed on humans! At night, they are also drawn to light as they hunt for insects.

While primarily found in gardens, earwigs can also become a nuisance inside homes during the summer months. Although harmless, they can infiltrate homes in large numbers and emit an unpleasant odor from a fluid secreted from their abdomens.

Definition

What Causes Earwigs to Appear in Your Home?

If your basement is damp, it might be inviting earwigs inside, explains Thomas Dobrinska, BCE and PHE. 'Neither the eggs nor the nymphs can survive extended dry spells. This drives them to find shelter elsewhere.' As temperatures drop, adult earwigs may seek refuge indoors since they prefer moist, protected environments.

How to Recognize an Earwig Infestation

Earwigs leave behind some distinct signs that they’ve made your garden or home their residence. They gravitate toward cool, moist, dark spots, often burrowing in the damp soil of houseplants, hiding beneath welcome mats and rugs, and creeping along baseboards and inside cabinets.

In your garden, you might find them among your flowers, under stones, in mulch, or on tree bark and logs. Here are some indicators that an earwig infestation might be happening in your space:

• You can detect their presence by their odor. Earwigs emit a musky, unpleasant scent when they feel threatened or disturbed.
• You notice holes or damage from where they've nibbled on leaves or flower petals.
• You find produce in your kitchen with black spots and chewed holes in them.

How to Keep Earwigs Out of Your Home

It's much easier to prevent earwigs from entering your home than it is to eliminate them once they've settled in.

Eliminate Moisture and Debris

Earwigs are drawn to moist, shady spots where they can avoid the sun. 'To prevent them, it's important to remove mulch, leaf litter, splash guards, stones, and landscaping timbers from around your home,' says Dobrinska. 'Make sure water is directed away from the foundation.'

Using a dehumidifier can help reduce moisture and mildew in your basement, making it less inviting for earwigs to take up residence. However, earwigs are resilient and can survive in water for up to 24 hours. If you start noticing earwigs in your home, it could be a sign of a leak or moisture accumulation.

Close Off Entry Points

It's important to seal any cracks or gaps, cover weep holes with screens, and repair any broken screens—this can also help prevent other unwanted pests. Areas such as door gaps, foundation cracks, leaks, and vents are common entry points for earwigs.

Remove Potential Food Sources

Earwigs feed on wood, and when water comes into contact with wood, it decomposes into a substance that's easier for them to consume. They are also attracted to plants, plant debris, decaying organic matter, and other insects. Therefore, it's a good idea to move any plant matter or debris away from your home. Dobrinska also suggests using sodium vapor light bulbs outdoors, as they are less likely to attract earwigs or the foods they prefer.

Attract Natural Predators

Consider attracting natural predators to your yard to help control earwigs. Creatures like toads, frogs, birds, and larger insects all feed on earwigs. Placing bird feeders can draw these predators to your yard, assisting in the management of the earwig population.

How to Eliminate Earwigs in Your Home

In most cases, you'll only encounter a few earwigs, which can be easily dealt with the old-fashioned way—using a vacuum or simply stomping them out. However, if the problem is more widespread, try these methods to ensure you don't provide earwigs with a comfortable place to stay.

Utilize Rubbing Alcohol

You can spray earwigs with a mixture of 70% rubbing alcohol and water. After eliminating the live bugs, use a solution of water and a few drops of dish soap around the areas where you've spotted them. Alternatively, you can spray a vinegar and water mix—earwigs dislike the smell, and vinegar is a great natural cleaner.

Use Traps

Dobrinska also recommends using granular insect baits to tackle an earwig infestation. However, even simple glue traps—like those used for mice—can be effective when placed in areas where you've noticed earwigs.

Another option is to create your own trap. Pour a small amount of vegetable or fish oil into a shallow dish or an overturned jar lid. Leave the trap in places where you've seen earwigs, such as cabinets or dark corners. The scent will draw them in, and they'll drown in the oil.

Keep Them Away Naturally

Earwigs are repelled by a variety of scents, so you're sure to find one you like that will also keep them at bay. Some of these include lavender, eucalyptus, basil, cinnamon, rosemary, and others. To deter these pests, place sachets or cotton balls soaked in essential oils in areas where you've spotted earwigs. If you have pets, be aware that certain scents can be harmful to them, so take care to keep them out of those areas.

When to Call in an Expert

Sometimes, a pest issue becomes too widespread to resolve with DIY solutions. If you're facing an infestation that you can't seem to eliminate, it might be time to bring in a professional pest control service. These experts can locate the nest, determine how the pests are entering your home, and devise a tailored extermination plan.

Exterminators are licensed to safely apply pest control chemicals. They can set traps, use insecticides, and disinfect your home. Some companies also offer sealing services for entry points, while others will provide recommendations to help prevent future infestations.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do earwigs bite humans?

  Earwigs don't bite in the usual way, and they don't have venom. However, if you try to pick one up, it might pinch you with its tail pincers. It won't break the skin, but the pinch might sting a little.

• Are earwigs a sign of a larger problem?

  Earwigs can be a signal that a more significant issue exists. Insects like carpenter ants, termites, and wood-boring beetles attract earwigs because they feed on wood and can cause damage that allows moisture to enter. Since earwigs are drawn to dampness and consume wood pulp (along with other things), a large number of earwigs may suggest a water leak or another type of pest infestation.

• Will earwigs leave on their own?

  A small number of earwigs in your garden is actually beneficial for your plants. They help by eating smaller insects, dead plants, and breaking down dying foliage. While a few earwigs are harmless, if their numbers increase or they become a persistent issue, it might be time to take steps to remove them.