The earwig is easily recognized by the prominent pair of rear appendages called cerci or “pincers.” While they pose no direct threat to human health, they can become nuisances by consuming soft plant tissues or moving indoors in large numbers. Addressing an earwig presence does not require harsh chemical intervention, as these pests are highly susceptible to environmentally friendly methods. This guide explores effective, chemical-free strategies for preventing and eliminating earwig populations.
Identifying Infestation Sources
Earwigs are primarily nocturnal, driven by a need for high humidity and cover. During the day, they seek out damp, sheltered locations with high moisture levels. They frequently congregate under stones, landscape timbers, or within dense piles of decaying organic matter like compost or mulch beds. These outdoor areas serve as the primary breeding and feeding grounds.
When outdoor conditions become too dry or populations become dense, earwigs begin seeking refuge inside structures. They utilize common entry points like small gaps in foundations, cracks around basement windows, and poorly sealed door thresholds, especially at ground level. Gaps around utility lines and weep holes in brick veneer walls also provide direct pathways indoors. The presence of earwigs inside usually signals a high population density immediately outside or a source of indoor moisture.
Habitat Management for Prevention
Effective long-term earwig control begins with altering the physical environment to make it undesirable for the pests. Eliminating sources of excess moisture immediately reduces habitat quality. Practices like repairing leaky exterior faucets and ensuring gutters drain water away from the foundation are helpful. Proper grading that prevents water accumulation near the home’s perimeter will also reduce the humidity levels earwigs require to survive.
Landscaping practices around the foundation must be adjusted to create a dry, inhospitable buffer zone. Pull back dense ground covers and thick mulch beds at least six to twelve inches from the foundation wall to remove daytime hiding spots. Replacing organic material immediately adjacent to the structure with a dry material, such as crushed stone or gravel, creates a perimeter that desiccates the insects. Trimming dense shrubs and plants away from the foundation also reduces available sheltered, damp space.
Exclusion measures are also effective in preventing movement from the yard into the living space. Inspecting the foundation and exterior walls for cracks and voids is a necessary step, and sealing these with appropriate caulking prevents easy access. Applying weatherstripping to loose-fitting doors and windows, especially at the ground level, physically blocks the pathways earwigs use to enter the structure. Removing any old wood or debris near the home also eliminates a major attractant and hiding spot.
DIY Natural Removal Methods
Once the habitat has been managed, active removal of existing populations can be achieved using several non-toxic methods that exploit the insects’ behavior. Trapping is a highly effective, low-effort technique that exploits the earwig’s attraction to dark, sheltered areas. A shallow dish, such as a tuna tin, filled with a mixture of soy sauce and vegetable oil acts as an attractive bait. Earwigs are drawn to the scent, fall into the oil, and cannot escape.
Another simple trapping method involves placing rolled-up damp newspaper, corrugated cardboard, or short sections of old garden hose near congregation areas overnight. Earwigs seeking dark, moist daytime shelter will crawl inside these traps. They can then be collected and disposed of in a sealed bag the following morning. This method is useful for quickly reducing high populations without chemicals.
For residual control, diatomaceous earth (DE) provides a highly effective, mechanical solution. DE is a fine powder composed of fossilized diatoms that works by absorbing the waxy, protective layer of the insect’s exoskeleton upon contact. This absorption leads to rapid dehydration and death, typically within 48 hours. Apply the powder as a fine, barely visible dust barrier along exterior foundation cracks, window sills, and interior edges where earwigs are noticed. Use food-grade DE and keep it completely dry, as moisture severely reduces its effectiveness.
A simple insecticidal spray can be made using a mild dish soap solution mixed with water for direct contact killing of visible pests. A solution consisting of one teaspoon of liquid dish soap per quart of water can be sprayed directly onto individual earwigs or small clusters. The soap acts by penetrating the insect’s respiratory structures, causing immediate distress. For a faster knockdown, isopropyl alcohol mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio can be used, which rapidly dries out the insect’s body upon immediate contact.