Earwigs are an annoying pest that can make their way into your home and garden, causing distress and potential damage. If you’ve been asking yourself how to get rid of earwigs, you’ve come to the right place. These pests are particularly attracted to dark, moist environments, making your home’s crevices or your garden the perfect hideouts. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through proven methods to get rid of earwigs both inside your home and in your garden, ensuring you can keep these critters at bay.

What Are Earwigs?

Earwigs are small, nocturnal insects that are easily recognized by the pincers at the end of their abdomens. While they are harmless to humans, earwigs can be a problem when they invade your living space or start feeding on your plants. How to get rid of earwigs becomes crucial when these pests start to take over, causing damage to plants or showing up unexpectedly in your home.

How To Get Rid of Earwigs in Your House

If you’re dealing with earwigs inside your home, it’s important to act fast before the problem spreads. Here are some effective ways to get rid of earwigs in your house:

1. Seal Cracks and Gaps

One of the first steps in learning how to get rid of earwigs in house is to make sure they can’t get in. Inspect your home for cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and the foundation. Use caulk to seal any potential entry points. This simple step can help prevent earwigs from making their way into your home.

2. Reduce Humidity

Earwigs love moist environments, and your home could be an inviting place for them if there are high levels of humidity. To get rid of earwigs in your house fast, reduce moisture levels by using a dehumidifier in damp areas like the basement or bathroom. Also, check for leaks around pipes, faucets, and windows that could be providing moisture for these pests.

3. Use Sticky Traps

Sticky traps are an easy and effective way to get rid of earwigs in your house. Place them near entry points or areas where you have seen earwigs. When the earwigs crawl over the traps, they’ll get stuck, and you can easily dispose of them. These traps are also chemical-free, making them safe for households with pets or children.

4. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural, non-toxic powder that can help get rid of earwigs inside your home. Sprinkle it around doorways, windowsills, and cracks where earwigs may be entering. Diatomaceous earth works by drying out the exoskeletons of the pests, killing them without the use of harmful chemicals.

5. Essential Oils

Essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus are known to repel earwigs. Mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where you have seen earwigs. This method not only helps get rid of earwigs in house but also leaves your home smelling fresh and pleasant.

How To Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden

Earwigs can be just as problematic in your garden, where they can damage plants by eating the leaves, flowers, and even fruit. Here's how to get rid of earwigs in the garden:

1. Remove Hiding Places

Earwigs like to hide under debris, mulch, and piles of leaves. To get rid of earwigs in the garden, make sure to clean up any fallen leaves or plant debris and rake your garden beds regularly. This will remove potential hiding spots for earwigs and help keep their population under control.

2. Set Traps

Trapping earwigs is an effective method to get rid of earwigs in the garden. One simple trap is to roll up a damp newspaper or towel and secure it with a rubber band. Place the trap in areas where earwigs are likely to hide. In the morning, check the trap and remove any earwigs that have gathered inside.

3. Encourage Natural Predators

One of the best ways to get rid of earwigs in the garden is by attracting natural predators. Birds, frogs, and beneficial insects like ladybugs and ground beetles can help control the earwig population. You can encourage these predators by installing birdhouses, creating a pond for frogs, or planting flowers that attract beneficial insects.

4. Use Diatomaceous Earth

Just like inside your home, diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled in your garden to help get rid of earwigs in the garden. Apply it around the base of plants, on garden paths, or in areas where earwigs are commonly seen. It will dehydrate and kill the earwigs without harming your plants.

5. Essential Oil or Garlic Spray

To keep earwigs away from your plants, you can create a natural repellent using essential oils or garlic. For essential oils, mix a few drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, or citrus oil with water and spray it around your plants. Alternatively, blend garlic with water and use it as a spray to get rid of earwigs in the garden. Both these natural repellents will discourage earwigs from feeding on your plants.

Preventing Future Earwig Infestations

Now that you know how to get rid of earwigs, it’s important to take steps to prevent them from coming back. Here are some key prevention tips:

• Seal entry points: Regularly check and seal cracks and gaps around your home to prevent earwigs from entering.
• Maintain a dry environment: Use a dehumidifier indoors to lower humidity, and water your garden in the morning to allow the soil to dry out by evening.
• Clean your garden regularly: Keep your garden free of debris, and trim back overgrown plants to reduce hiding spots for earwigs.
• Attract natural predators: Encourage birds and other predators to help control earwig populations naturally.

Conclusion

Knowing how to get rid of earwigs is crucial when these pests invade your home or garden. By using a combination of physical barriers, natural repellents, and preventative measures, you can successfully eliminate earwigs and keep them from returning. Whether you're dealing with earwigs inside your house or in your garden, these simple yet effective solutions can help you regain control of your space.