how to get rid of earwigs in your house

Rubbing alcohol and water – Mix rubbing alcohol and water together to spray at earwigs onsite. This method can be used to kill earwigs immediately. Boric acid powder – Found at most hardware stores, boric acid is a treatment you can apply to those out of reach areas to kill earwigs that crawl near it.

Why are there so many earwigs in my house?

Earwigs enter homes by crawling inside through cracks, gaps and holes that lead inside the structure. ... Another way for earwigs to be brought in is if they are living under plants between a plant pot and the saucer. If people bring these in for the winter, earwigs will be brought inside.

What to do if you have earwigs in your house?

Vacuum daily to help get rid of earwigs. Dehumidifying Your Home – Place a fan or dehumidifier in areas of your house that are damp, such as your bathroom or under your kitchen sink. When earwigs don't have a moist place to call their own, they may move back outside.

Is it bad to have earwigs in your house?

Earwigs inside the house do not cause any harm or destruction. They are an annoyance or nuisance because of their presence. If disturbed, earwigs may produce a noticeable foul odor. ... Outdoors earwigs can cause damage to plants and it is particularly annoying when they feed on the flowers.

Why do I have an earwig infestation?

If you're seeing a large number of earwigs outside, it most likely means you have a healthy population of garden pests, decaying plants and trees, or a vivacious garden. These three food sources can draw earwigs into your garden. ... Earwigs are brought into homes through potted plants, wet cardboard, and wet newspapers.

Will vinegar kill earwigs?

You could make a homemade cleaner with water, vinegar and dish soap and it kills them within a couple seconds. What season do earwigs come out? Earwigs do not like the cold, so they burrow underground in the winter. They like to eat plants, so they come out when the plants are good for eating in the spring.

How do you keep earwigs away naturally?

How to Get Rid of Earwigs

Lay one-foot sections of bamboo or garden hose in the beds between your plants. ...
Spread petroleum jelly around the stems of your plants. ...
If they are infesting your woodpile, try sprinkling borax around it, but keep pets and children away from this area after doing so.
Oil pit traps are a great remedy for earwigs.

How did an earwig get in my bed?

Legends say that earwigs crawl into the ears of sleeping people, burrowing into their brains, and lay their eggs in there. In fact, earwigs are drawn to dark, moist holes. If an earwig climbs into bed with you, there is no reason why it wouldn't want to climb into your nice, warm, moist, ear canal.

What are earwigs attracted to?

Earwigs eat plants and insects. Earwigs are attracted to lights. They can become a nuisance on porches and patios on summer evenings. In the morning they will be gathered under things like cushions that were left outside overnight.

What is the best pesticide to kill earwigs?

Sevin, or carbaryl, is one of the most commonly recommended pesticides for earwig control. It is available in liquid-concentrate, premixed-liquid and dust forms, and it is safe for use in vegetable gardens.

Where do earwigs lay their eggs?

While some insects actually have eggs that hatch inside them and they appear to “give birth” to young insects, the earwig lays eggs which then hatch. Female earwigs are very particular about where they lay their eggs and typically will lay the eggs in protected areas that earwigs frequent such as under wet leaves or ...

Do earwigs die in winter?

Earwigs Will Hibernate in Your Home

Earwigs tend to live in dark, moist environments. They can frequently be found in large numbers under logs, leaves, compost, lawn clippings and bark. Earwigs tend to hibernate during the winter months.

What is the life cycle of an earwig?

Earwigs undergo three stages of a simple metamorphosis throughout their lives: egg, nymph, and adult. This a simpler or incomplete metamorphosis since they lack stages of growth such as the larvae and the pupa.

How do you get rid of an earwig infestation?

Keep mulch, dead leaves, and other vegetation 6 to 12 inches away from your home's foundation. Finally, trim trees and shrubs to help eliminate damp, shady areas, especially near the house. There are also steps you can take around and in your home to prevent future earwig problems.

Are earwigs hard to kill?

Earwigs are not a special bug that just cannot be killed. There's no super hard shell that protects them, and they're not super fast. The constant earwig sighting can happen all summer long and can be extremely frustrating to homeowners.

Can Earwigs come up through drains?

Insects that like dampness and may visit your plumbing abound, however, and include cockroaches, earwigs, drain flies, silverfish and centipedes. Waterbugs, too, like dark damp drains, but don't let their name fool you.

Will baking soda kill earwigs?

If you want to get rid of earwigs in garden areas, a combination of water, soap, and baking soda should do the trick. Baking soda is actually good for plant growth and the soap is fine too. However, the above formula should only be used in moderation, too much of anything will kill a plant quickly.

Why does dish soap kill earwigs?

Tip: Getting Rid of Earwigs

You can get rid of earwigs, if you mix some Dawn dish soap with some water and spray them. The solution will have an acid like reaction with them, eventually killing them.

Do earwigs like coffee grounds?

They do feed at night and do seek out dark, cool, moist places to hang out during the day. Seedlings and most flowering plants can be severely damaged or even killed when you have a large earwig population (coffee grinds will protect). ...

Does peppermint oil repel earwigs?

Essential oils for earwigs

There are a few essential oils that get rid of earwigs. Some of the best oils to use are peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, lavender, cedar, cinnamon, clove, and basil. ... The smell of the oil helps keep pincher bugs out of your home naturally.

Will bleach kill earwigs?

Keeping outdoor lights off at nighttime when they are not being used at all because these insects are attracted to warm lights. Destroy earwig nest and eggs using sea salt, bleach or pesticides before they create an infestation inside your home.

Can earwigs fly?

Earwigs also have two pairs of wings, with their hind wings usually folding underneath their front wings. These body parts typically have a leathery appearance to them. Not all earwig species fly, and those that do only do so in short bursts.