How to Get Rid of Earwigs: Fast and Effective Solutions for Your Home and Garden

Mar 6, 2025 - 16:48

Earwigs are small, nocturnal pests known for their distinctive pincers. While generally harmless to humans, they can be a nuisance when they invade your home or garden. If you’ve ever wondered how to get rid of earwigs, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explore proven methods to get rid of earwigs in your house and garden. We’ll cover everything from how to get rid of earwigs in your house fast to natural solutions for how to get rid of earwigs in the garden.

What Are Earwigs?

Earwigs are typically found in dark, damp environments like basements, bathrooms, and gardens. They tend to feed on decaying organic matter, plants, and fruits, which makes them both a nuisance and a potential threat to your garden. Although earwigs don’t bite humans, their presence in your home can be unsettling, and in the garden, they can damage plants. Learning how to get rid of earwigs is essential to maintaining a pest-free environment.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your House Fast

If you're dealing with an earwig infestation indoors, you may be asking, how to get rid of earwigs in your house fast. Here are some quick and effective solutions:

Seal Entry Points The first step in how to get rid of earwigs in house is preventing them from entering in the first place. Inspect your home for cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and the foundation. Seal these entry points with caulk or weatherstripping to block any future access.
Traps An easy and effective way to get rid of earwigs in your house fast is by using traps. One popular method is to roll up a damp newspaper and place it in areas where earwigs are active. Earwigs are attracted to the moisture and will crawl into the newspaper for shelter. In the morning, dispose of the newspaper and the earwigs.
Diatomaceous Earth Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural, non-toxic solution that works wonders in eliminating earwigs. It dehydrates earwigs by puncturing their exoskeletons. To get rid of earwigs in house, simply sprinkle DE around doorways, windowsills, and baseboards. It's safe for humans and pets but deadly for earwigs.
Essential Oils Natural repellents, like peppermint or tea tree oil, can help keep earwigs away. Mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where earwigs are commonly seen. The strong scent will deter them from entering your home.
Maintain Cleanliness Earwigs are attracted to food crumbs and organic debris. To get rid of earwigs in house, clean up any food scraps, particularly in the kitchen and dining areas. Regular vacuuming, especially in corners and under furniture, will also help eliminate any potential food sources.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden

Earwigs can also wreak havoc in your garden, causing damage to plants and vegetables. If you’re wondering how to get rid of earwigs in the garden, here are some practical methods:

Diatomaceous Earth in the Garden As mentioned earlier, diatomaceous earth is incredibly effective for how to get rid of earwigs in the garden. Simply sprinkle DE around the base of your plants, garden beds, and other high-risk areas. It works by damaging the earwigs' exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Create Traps Another way to get rid of earwigs in the garden is to create traps. Place overturned flowerpots, cardboard, or citrus rinds around the garden. These items provide shelter for the earwigs, and in the morning, you can easily collect and dispose of them.
Remove Garden Debris Earwigs love to hide in damp, dark places, including garden debris like fallen leaves, mulch, and decaying wood. To reduce earwig populations in your garden, regularly remove these materials. Keeping your garden clean and well-maintained will make it less inviting to earwigs.
Reduce Moisture Since earwigs thrive in moist environments, it’s important to monitor moisture levels in your garden. Avoid overwatering your plants, and ensure that your garden has proper drainage. By keeping the soil dry, you’ll make your garden less attractive to earwigs.
Beneficial Nematodes Beneficial nematodes are microscopic organisms that can help control earwig populations in the garden. These organisms target earwig larvae in the soil and naturally reduce the number of pests. Using nematodes is an environmentally-friendly option for how to get rid of earwigs in the garden without the use of chemicals.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your House

If you’re already dealing with earwigs inside your home, you may be wondering how to get rid of earwigs in house. Start by sealing any cracks or gaps around doors and windows. Then, use traps, diatomaceous earth, and essential oils to help eliminate the pests. Keep your home clean and dry, as earwigs are attracted to moisture and food sources.

Preventing Future Earwig Problems

The best way to handle earwigs is to prevent them from infesting your home and garden in the first place. Here are some preventive tips to help keep earwigs at bay:

Seal cracks and gaps around your home to block potential entry points.
Clean your home regularly, especially in food preparation areas.
Remove debris and organic matter from your garden to eliminate hiding spots.
Reduce moisture in both your home and garden.
Apply diatomaceous earth around entry points and high-risk areas.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the chances of earwig infestations in the future.

Conclusion

Knowing how to get rid of earwigs is crucial for maintaining a pest-free home and garden. Whether you need to learn how to get rid of earwigs in your house fast or how to get rid of earwigs in the garden, the methods outlined here provide effective solutions. From sealing entry points and using traps to applying diatomaceous earth and essential oils, there are plenty of ways to deal with these pesky insects.