How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your Garden and Home

Earwigs (Forficula auricularia) are black to reddish-brown, flat insects with long bodies that grow up to two inches in length. Also referred to as pincher bugs, earwigs are known for the pincers on their abdomen called cerci. It is a longstanding myth that earwigs deliberately crawl inside the human ear canal to lay eggs, but this has no basis in fact.

Earwigs are not harmful or toxic, but they can easily slip into damp hiding places such as crevices and crawl spaces, often seeking food and shelter inside homes and in gardens. Earwigs are mainly nocturnal, and will eat flowers like marigolds and zinnias, mold, ornamental plants, and other earwigs. They are attracted to humid, moist places with plenty of decaying organic material, like leaves or wood.

If you have earwigs in your garden, you will most likely notice a series of non-uniform sized holes in the leaves of your plant. This is a result of garden earwigs eating through your plants. You may also notice a black substance near the holes, which is a sign of earwig droppings.

Preventing earwigs is the best way to avoid earwig damage to your vegetable gardens, flowerbeds, and indoor herb gardens. For tips on preventing earwigs, see the list below:

1. 1. Clean up earwig-friendly spaces. Earwig populations are often found in moist areas, so make sure to dry up any damp areas around your home or garden where they may want to congregate. Eliminate rotting wood piles, fix any leaky faucets outdoors, and clear out your gutters to prevent earwig infestation.
2. 2. Get rid of any excess moisture. Use a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity if you notice earwigs inside of your house. Keep mulch, dead leaves, and other plant material away from the foundation of your home to prevent earwigs from making their way inside, and possibly to your indoor houseplants.
3. 3. Seal any cracks. Another way to control earwigs is to use caulk or another sealant to eliminate small entry points into your garden bed or home. Check the weather stripping on your door or in your plant beds to ensure there are no gaps where they can enter.
4. 4. Prune your vegetation. Tend to your crops regularly to make sure there are no pests hiding in any overgrown foliage. Earwigs are also known to eat vegetable and fruit plants, so keep an eye on those if you have any in your garden. Keeping your garden neat and tidy ensures proper aeration and fewer spots to inhabit.
5. 5. Use natural insecticides. You can make a natural insect repellent for your garden out of water and certain essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and citronella. You can also spray a one-to-one vinegar-to-water solution around your garden to ward off earwigs.

Proper earwig control is essential for your budding greenery. For some tips on earwig pest control, see below:

1. 1. Diatomaceous earth: This natural insecticide is a slow-acting lethal agent that can be used to kill earwigs and other insects like cockroaches, beetles, bed bugs, and silverfish. Use a small spoon to create a line of powder along insect travel lines or baseboards. The powder will adhere to the earwig’s exoskeleton and dry them out, which will eventually kill them. Boric acid powder can be used with similar effect.
2. 2. Dish soap spray: For a pesticide alternative, fill a spray bottle with dish detergent and water. Spray any earwigs you see with a generous coating of the soapy water mixture.
3. 3. Earwig traps: Setting up DIY traps can lure earwigs away from your garden plants, keeping them safe from harm. Fill a small container with a few tablespoons of soy sauce and a small puddle of vegetable oil—enough to drown the earwig. Bury your trap in the garden soil around where they congregate.
4. 4. Natural predators: Although earwigs will eat other pests like aphids and mites, they can wreak havoc on your garden if left unchecked. Beneficial creatures can be an important part of pest management, so include plants in your garden that will lure earwig predators like birds, yellow jackets, and frogs.

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