Earwigs are one of those pests that make you uneasy the moment you spot them. They love showing up in bathrooms, basements, mulch beds, or lurking near kitchen entries.
The good news? You can usually get them under control by cutting down on moisture, removing hiding spots, and blocking up the places they sneak inside.
If you want to know how to get rid of earwigs, start with damp areas, seal entry points, and trap the insects where they hide most often. A few steady changes around your home and yard usually do more than one quick spray ever will.
What Earwigs Are And Why They Show Up
Earwigs are small, narrow insects with pincers at the back of their bodies. You usually notice them at night or in dark, damp places, and that behavior gives you a big clue about where to focus your effort.
How To Identify Earwigs
Earwigs have long brown or reddish-brown bodies. The pincher-like forceps are easy to spot.
They often hide under pots, boards, sinks, loose mulch, or baseboards. You might also spot small dark droppings near where they gather.
Common Reasons They Gather Indoors And Outdoors
Earwigs move toward moisture, shelter, and decaying organic material. Inside, that means bathrooms, laundry areas, basements, and crawl spaces.
Outside, they cluster in mulch, leaf piles, garden beds, stacked firewood, and other shaded spots.
Whether Earwigs Are Dangerous
Earwigs may look threatening, but they’re not dangerous to people. They can pinch if handled, and they might chew on plants or soft garden growth, so they’re more of a nuisance than a real health risk.
Where To Look For Activity
You’ll get better results by checking the spots earwigs already love, instead of treating the whole house at random. Focus on dark, damp hiding spots indoors and sheltered garden areas outside.
From there, just judge whether you’re dealing with a few strays or a bigger problem.
Moist Hiding Spots Inside The House
Look around sinks, tubs, floor drains, basement corners, laundry rooms, and cracks near doors or pipes. Earwigs often hide behind stored items, cardboard, damp rags, and anything that traps moisture.
Garden Beds Mulch And Outdoor Shelter Areas
Check under mulch, stones, boards, flowerpots, compost edges, and dense plant growth. Earwigs also hide under siding, near foundation cracks, and in piles of leaves or grass clippings.
Signs Of A Small Problem Versus A Larger Infestation
A few earwigs in one damp area usually mean a small, local issue. If you keep seeing them in several rooms, or you notice plant damage, droppings, and live insects day after day, the problem is spreading and needs a broader approach.
Immediate Ways To Reduce Numbers
Quick action helps you lower the population while you work on the real cause. Safe cleanup, simple traps, and careful product use can make a noticeable difference within a short time.
Safe Removal And Cleanup Methods
Vacuum up earwigs you see indoors, and empty the vacuum outside right away. Outside, knock them into a bucket of soapy water or brush them from hiding spots before you treat the area.
Simple Traps That Work
A shallow container with vegetable oil, soy sauce, or a little sweet liquid will attract earwigs overnight. You can also roll up damp newspaper or cardboard, leave it near problem spots, and check it in the morning before tossing it.
When To Use Insecticides Carefully
Use insecticides only when traps and cleanup just aren’t enough. Pick products labeled for earwigs and the area you’re treating.
Follow the label exactly, keep kids and pets away during use, and avoid spraying plants or surfaces you don’t want to expose.
Moisture And Entry Point Control
Moisture control is one of the most effective long-term steps you can take. If your home stays damp or has easy entry points, earwigs will keep coming back, no matter how many you remove.
Fixing Damp Conditions That Attract Pests
Repair leaks, run a dehumidifier in damp rooms, and improve airflow in basements or crawl spaces. Outside, avoid overwatering garden beds and keep gutters, downspouts, and drainage working properly.
Sealing Gaps Around Doors Windows And Foundations
Seal cracks around foundations, pipes, vents, and window frames with caulk or weatherproof materials. Door sweeps and tight screens help close off the small openings earwigs use at night.
Storage And Clutter Changes That Help
Remove cardboard, piles of paper, and damp storage from basements and utility rooms. Keep items off the floor when you can—raised storage gives you fewer hiding places to check and clean.
Yard And Kitchen Area Prevention
Prevention works best if you make the space less attractive from the start. That means changing yard conditions, reducing outdoor cover, and keeping kitchen and sink areas dry and clean.
Landscaping Adjustments That Make The Area Less Inviting
Trim back dense plant growth near the house. Keep a clear strip between garden beds and the foundation when possible.
Earwigs are less likely to stick around where there’s less shade, less moisture, and fewer hiding spots.
How To Manage Compost Firewood And Mulch
Store firewood away from the house and lift it off the ground if you can. Keep mulch thin rather than piled high, and turn compost regularly so it doesn’t become a cool, damp shelter.
Keeping Sinks Cabinets And Food Prep Zones Less Attractive
Wipe sinks dry, fix drips fast, and clean under counters where crumbs and moisture collect. In kitchens, dry storage areas matter too.
Fewer spills, less dampness, and fewer pest-friendly hiding places—pretty basic advice, but it really does the trick.
When Professional Help Makes Sense
Large or repeated earwig problems often point to a moisture issue, a hidden entry route, or an outdoor source that’s just tough to reach on your own. A pest control visit can save time when the same signs keep returning after you’ve already cleaned, trapped, and sealed.
Cases Where DIY Steps May Not Be Enough
Call for help if earwigs keep appearing in several rooms, or if you see them in large numbers around the foundation. If your garden keeps getting damaged despite prevention, it’s probably time.
Professional help also makes sense when you suspect a hidden moisture problem or just can’t figure out where they’re getting in.
What To Expect From A Pest Control Visit
A technician usually starts by checking damp areas, cracks, and exterior shelter spots. They’ll also look at indoor hotspots.
You’ll probably get a treatment plan with targeted sprays or baits. The technician might throw in some prevention tips if they spot trouble areas.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.