Earwigs are common garden insects, easily identified by the prominent pincer-like appendages extending from their abdomen. Although their appearance may seem intimidating, they are generally harmless to humans and rarely pinch. They become a nuisance when populations grow large enough to damage soft plant material, flowers, and seedlings, or when they migrate indoors seeking shelter. Effective management of these nocturnal pests begins by altering the outdoor environment to make it less appealing for them to live and breed.
Eliminating Outdoor Hiding Spots
Earwigs require dark, cool, and moist environments to survive, as they are susceptible to dehydration during the day. The most sustainable control approach involves removing these preferred daytime hiding spots, also known as harborage areas. This means systematically cleaning up debris that accumulates around the perimeter of the home and garden beds.
Removing leaf litter, grass clippings, weeds, and old boards or stones eliminates places where earwigs congregate. Woodpiles should be moved away from the house foundation, as stacked wood retains moisture and offers crevices for shelter. Since thick, damp mulch serves as an ideal habitat, maintaining a dry buffer zone of bare soil or gravel around the home’s foundation can deter entry.
Addressing moisture issues is important for long-term control, since earwigs are strongly attracted to damp conditions. Inspecting and fixing leaky outdoor faucets, air conditioning units, or irrigation lines removes unintended water sources. Improving drainage where water tends to pool and avoiding overwatering garden beds, especially near the house, creates a drier, less favorable environment for the pests.
Simple Trapping and Collection Techniques
Trapping provides a non-chemical method for actively reducing large earwig populations. These techniques capitalize on the earwig’s natural instinct to seek dark, confined spaces for daytime refuge. A simple and effective trap involves laying out rolled-up sections of damp newspaper, corrugated cardboard, or short pieces of garden hose in the evening.
Earwigs crawl into these dark, moist tubes overnight, seeking shelter before sunrise. The traps should be collected early the next morning before the insects become active, and the trapped earwigs can be emptied into a bucket of soapy water for disposal. Another popular collection method utilizes a pit trap that attracts the omnivorous insects with bait.
This type of trap is constructed using a small container, such as a tuna can or yogurt cup, buried in the soil so the rim is level with the ground. The container is filled with a mixture that attracts the earwigs, such as vegetable oil mixed with soy sauce or bacon grease. Earwigs are drawn to the scent and fall into the container, where the oily liquid prevents them from climbing out. Traps should be placed in areas of high activity and checked daily, with captured insects removed and the bait replenished as needed.
Targeted Control Agents
When environmental modifications and trapping do not sufficiently reduce the outdoor earwig population, specific substances can be applied for targeted control. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a natural mineral powder composed of the fossilized remains of diatoms. This food-grade powder works as a mechanical insecticide; the fine, sharp particles scratch the earwig’s protective outer layer, leading to dehydration and death.
For DE to be effective, it must be applied as a thin, dry layer around garden borders or plant bases, as moisture renders the powder ineffective. Insecticidal soaps offer another direct-contact method, utilizing potassium salts of fatty acids to weaken the insect’s exterior. Since these sprays kill earwigs only upon direct contact, applications should be timed for the evening hours when the pests are most active.
For areas inaccessible to children or pets, boric acid can be utilized as a targeted control agent, often mixed into a sweet bait to encourage ingestion. When consumed, the compound acts as a stomach poison, disrupting the earwig’s digestive system. Granular baits, often containing spinosad, can be scattered around flower beds or perimeter areas, offering a residual effect against severe infestations. These commercial products should be used sparingly and strictly according to label instructions to minimize the impact on beneficial insects and the surrounding environment.