Earwigs may look unsettling at first glance, especially with the pincers at the back of their bodies, but they are not always the villains they seem to be. In small numbers, these insects can actually be useful outdoors because they feed on decaying plant material and even help control certain garden pests. The problem begins when their numbers grow too large and they start damaging plants or making their way indoors.
In most cases, earwigs prefer to stay outside in damp, shaded places where they can hide during the day. But if your yard offers the right conditions, or your home has moist entry points and dark hiding spots, they can quickly become a nuisance. Here is how to identify an earwig problem, get rid of them, and help prevent them from coming back.
Where Earwigs Usually Hide
Earwigs are drawn to moisture and shelter. Around the home, they often gather in cool, damp areas such as crawl spaces, basements, garages, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and near plumbing lines. Outdoors, they are commonly found under mulch, leaf litter, rotting wood, compost piles, stones, and woodpiles.
Because they are mostly active at night, you may not notice them right away. During the day, they tend to stay hidden in dark crevices and under debris.
Signs You May Have an Earwig Problem
In the yard, the clearest signs of earwigs are damaged plants. They often chew on tender leaves, flower petals, seedlings, soft fruit, and even developing corn. If you notice irregular holes in leaves, damage to blooms, or marks on fruits and vegetables, earwigs may be involved. A nighttime inspection with a flashlight can help confirm it, since that is when they come out to feed.
Inside the home, the most obvious sign is simply seeing several of them. One earwig every now and then may not be a major issue, but repeated sightings could mean they are nesting nearby or finding their way in through cracks and damp areas. In larger numbers, they can also produce an unpleasant odor.
How to Get Rid of Earwigs
The best way to deal with earwigs is to combine several simple steps rather than relying on one method alone.
Start by reducing moisture. Fix leaking faucets and pipes, improve airflow in damp rooms, use dehumidifiers in basements or crawl spaces, and avoid overwatering your garden. Since earwigs depend on moisture, drier conditions make your home and yard much less attractive to them.
Next, seal entry points around the house. Check around doors, windows, the foundation, and areas where plumbing or utility lines enter. Small cracks and gaps can give earwigs an easy way inside, especially during wet weather.
Cleaning also helps. Vacuum regularly, remove crumbs and indoor clutter, and clean up any areas where insects may hide. If you see earwigs indoors, vacuuming them up is often the easiest option. Just make sure to empty the vacuum contents outside.
Outside, clean up the area around your foundation. Remove piles of leaves, mulch, wood, and other damp debris that create perfect hiding places. Keeping these materials away from the house can make a big difference.
You can also use traps. A simple homemade earwig trap can be made with a shallow container holding a small amount of vegetable oil mixed with bacon grease or fish oil. Place it where earwigs are active. If using the trap outdoors, sink the container into the soil so the top is level with the ground. Earwigs are attracted to the scent and become trapped in the oil.
How to Prevent Earwigs from Coming Back
Prevention is often the most effective long-term solution. Once you remove the conditions earwigs love, their numbers usually drop.
Keep gutters and downspouts clear so water drains away from the foundation. Trim branches and shrubs that create damp, shady areas around the house. Avoid letting ivy, mulch, or firewood rest too close to exterior walls. In the garden, water early in the day so the soil surface has time to dry before nightfall.
You should also continue checking crawl spaces, basement vents, and other low-lying areas for excess humidity. Screens on vents and sealed gaps around the home can help keep earwigs outside where they belong.
Natural predators can also help keep outdoor populations in balance. Birds, toads, chickens, ducks, and other beneficial wildlife may feed on earwigs and reduce their numbers naturally.
When to Call a Professional
If earwigs are showing up in large numbers despite your efforts, or if the infestation seems to be spreading, it may be time to contact a pest control professional. A trained expert can identify where they are coming from, recommend a treatment plan, and safely use products that are not always available to homeowners.
Final Thoughts
Earwigs are not always harmful, and in small numbers they can even be helpful in the garden. But when they start damaging plants or invading your home, it is important to act quickly. By reducing moisture, sealing entry points, cleaning up hiding places, and using traps when needed, you can usually get the problem under control and keep your home and yard more comfortable.
