How To Get Rid of Earwigs in the Home and Yard

The sight of an earwig, aka a pincher bug, can feel a bit intimidating. But they’re actually important members of the natural community. Some species even practice maternal care, a rarity among insects.

“If you see an occasional earwig among your plants, there is no need to panic,” says Emma Grace Crumbley, an entomologist at Mosquito Squad. “In small numbers, they are actually beneficial, eating tiny garden pests like aphids and scale insects. They also feed on decomposing organic matter like rotting wood and dead leaves, which helps restore nutrients to the soil in your garden.”

For the most part, the 20-plus species of earwigs in the US stay outside and out of trouble. But on occasion, there can be earwig infestations. In the garden, that means damage to seedling vegetables, annual flowers, fruit and corn. Inside, en masse, they can stink up the place with a foul-smelling liquid, plus deliver a case of the heebie-jeebies.

If you have an earwig infestation going on, or want to prevent one, here’s what to do.

Where Do Earwigs Live?

In the home, earwigs look for cool, moist areas like crawl spaces, unfinished basements, garages and plumbing lines, though you may also see them in the kitchen, bathroom or laundry room. In the garden, they are attracted to moist compost, leaf litter, wood piles and rotting plants.

Signs of an Earwig Infestation

Outside, the most obvious sign of an earwig infestation is plant damage, such as chewed-on leaves, damaged flower petals, black holes in fruits and vegetables and poor corn kernel development.

They particularly go for soft fruit, like apricots and berries, but tend to leave apples alone, says Macy Ruiz, an entomologist and Technical Services Manager for Terminix. They also tend to damage flowers, including zinnias, marigolds and dahlias. “To confirm that earwigs are causing the damage, go out at night with a flashlight to observe the pests in action,” he says.

Inside, the most obvious signs of an earwig infestation are seeing a lot of them and possibly noticing an unpleasant odor. “Since earwigs rarely enter homes, seeing one of them on your floor could mean that they have nested in the soil on your indoor plants,” says Ruiz.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs

The good news is that you can probably manage your earwig infestation yourself using an integrated approach.

• Reduce moisture by fixing leaking faucets, installing proper ventilation, using dehumidifiers in damp basements and crawlspaces and not overwatering gardens.
• Exclude earwigs by sealing small cracks and gaps around the doors, door sweeps, windows, foundation and plumbing/utility penetrations.
• Clean and vacuum daily to remove food crumbs and debris, plus clean up indoor clutter.
• Tidy up the yard close to the foundation by removing debris, mulch and woodpiles.
• When you see earwigs inside, vacuum them up, and be sure to empty your bag outside.

You can also buy earwig traps or make them yourself by putting a half-inch of vegetable oil with bacon grease or tuna oil in shallow tuna-type cans. Place them where earwigs frequent, and if that’s outside, sink the cans into the ground so the top of the can is at soil level. The earwigs will come to eat and then get caught in the oil.

But Ruiz says to keep in mind that earwigs often don’t need to be managed since they can be beneficial.

When to Call a Pro

If your earwig problem feels like it’s getting out of hand, you might want to call a professional who can create a treatment plan tailored to your situation and who has access to pro-grade products to control them in a safe manner.

How to Prevent Earwig Infestations

Preventing earwigs includes many of the same steps as getting rid of them.

“The most important part is eliminating their hiding places,” says Danielle Restuccia, an entomologist and Division Technical Services Manager at Orkin. “If those are not addressed, any other treatment methods will only manage, but never completely eliminate an earwig population.”

• Seal potential entry points into your home and add screens to crawlspace and basement vents.
• Keep your garden tidy and mulch/leaf piles, firewood, and ivy away from your home and garden.
• Use dehumidifiers and fans to reduce humidity in damp spaces.
• Fix leaky plumbing.
• Trim overhanging branches and shrubs that cause damp, shady areas near the house. “Some earwigs are also very good climbers and can use overhanging branches to access your home,” says Restuccia.
• Clean and check gutters and downspouts to ensure water drains away from the foundation. “Adjust irrigation systems to water in the morning, allowing the area to dry during the day,” says Restuccia.
• Don’t overwater your garden.

Natural enemies, including toads, birds and other predators, may play an important role in some gardens,” says Ruiz. “Chickens and ducks will also consume many earwigs.”

FAQ

What do earwigs eat?

Earwigs are omnivores, scavengers and detritivores, which means they eat dead and decomposing material, including plant matter, fungi, mold and wood. Some species are also predatory, eating aphids and other insects.

Do earwigs bite?

No, earwigs don’t bite, but they are known to pinch humans when they feel threatened. “Their pincers may look scary, but they are not very strong and will rarely break the skin,” says Restuccia. “While intimidating, they are used for defense, during mating and for sparring with rivals.”

Are earwigs dangerous?

No, earwigs are not dangerous. They try to avoid humans. They also don’t spread disease and are not venomous or poisonous. “There is a superstition that earwigs burrow into the ears of people while they sleep,” says Restuccia. “This is a myth and has no scientific basis.”

Do earwigs go in your ear?

No, earwigs do not go in your ears. “[They’d] rather dig around your garden than dig around your ear canal,” says Crumbley.

Adds Ruiz, “Theoretically, it’s possible for an earwig to crawl into an ear. However, since your ears lack food, moisture and humidity, they aren’t appealing to these insects.”

About the Experts

• Macy Ruiz is an entomologist and Technical Services Manager for Terminix, where he has worked for 30 years.
• Emma Grace Crumbley is an entomologist at Mosquito Squad and a self-described bug nerd who uses her expertise to educate people about the fascinating world of bugs.
• Danielle Restuccia is an entomologist, Division Technical Services Manager at Orkin and a pest management professional licensed in 16 states.