How to Get Rid of Earwigs

So, how can you get rid of earwigs from your home or garden?  This article contains some ways on how to do just that.

There are many insects that are well-known to us due to their fairly destructive behavior to our homes and also to the plants in our gardens.  Many insects like termites or carpenter ants have been known to cause much damage to our homes, chewing at the wood and, if left untreated, causing potential structural issues.  And regarding our gardens, well, there are a few insects that can cause more serious issues here as well.  First, these troublesome insects may inflict direct damage to our gardens, meaning they can eat the leaves or dig tunnels into the stem, fruits, and roots of plants.  Second is indirect damage in which the insects themselves do very little harm to the vegetation but transmit diseases or infections everywhere they go.

And then there is the earwig – known to be both a pest but also beneficial to plants to some degree.  They are not known to make people ill by transmitting disease.  They are not known to bite people (mostly known to use their pinchers to, well, pinch you).  They do not have stingers to inject poison.  Still, many people simply do not want them around.  In your garden, while they do eat other types of insects and pollen, they also dine on plants, lettuce and vegetables, and certain flowers.  So, let us dive into it – how to get rid of earwigs.

What Are Earwigs?

First, what exactly is an earwig?  Well, an earwig is a slender insect that looks terrifying with a pair of menacing pincers at the back of the abdomen.  Similar to just about every insect species, its population can grow to a large number if left uncontrolled. Although they are found in almost any growing zone all over the world except the poles, you will most likely stumble upon an earwig or two in dark damp spaces, and that’s assuming you can actually spot them.  In the United States, the earwig is more known to populate the southern and southern west states.

Earwigs are mostly nocturnal – they tend to hide during the day and become active at night.  Every single one of them has two pairs of wings, but not all of them can fly.  The hind wings usually are folding underneath the front ones.  Even those that can fly only do so in short burst.  Either way, all earwigs are quick movers and good at finding places to hide.  They are fond of decaying plant material such as woods and leaves.

A member of a highly successful group of animals, earwigs have been roaming the Earth since prehistoric time over 200 million years ago.  There are more than 2,000 species known today, but only about 20 live in the United States and are believed to have arrived in the country with European immigrants.  As a matter of fact, the name “earwig” has its origins in the Old English word “ear-wicga” which means ear-wiggler.  Many people in the distant past thought the insect would crawl into human ears and reside there to lay eggs.

Physical Features of the Earwig

Most earwigs are no smaller than ¼-inch yet no larger than 1 inch long.  They have flattened, elongated bodies that vary in color as well, such as black, reddish brown, and pale brown with dark markings.  In addition to two pairs of wings, each also has an antennae and six legs.  The most notable feature of an earwig is of course the pincers that protrude from the back of its abdomen.  Without the pincers, you may mistake an earwig for a cockroach.

Are Earwigs Harmful to People?

In the animal kingdom, there are always body features that do not always function as they look.  When it comes to earwigs, looks are indeed deceiving at least to us human.  The claw-like forceps at the back of their body appear to be dangerous; even if they are not poisonous, a pinch is going to hurt a lot.  However, truth be told, the pincer of an earwig can only do any real harm to other insects.  The pincer is actually useful as a defensive tool against larger animals.  Male’s forceps are curved, while female’s are straight.

You could get pinched if you pick up an earwig.  Most people would handle the pain well enough, except perhaps small children.  But all in all, these small animals are not dangerous to people; they neither bite nor spread any disease to humans.  Most certainly they don’t lay eggs in your ear.

Are Earwigs Harmful to Plants?

In the garden, earwigs play the role as nocturnal scavengers.  Adult earwigs may feed on flowers and fruits, while the immature ones may feed on young leaves and seedlings.  In case you see small holes and ragged edges on the leaves of an otherwise healthy plant, they can be bite marks of earwigs.

Earwigs are nocturnal animals, so the best way to catch them in the act is to look for them at night with a flashlight.  Leaves, flowers, and fruits are not the only things on the menu, as earwigs are omnivorous.  They also like to eat decomposing organic matter under mulch.

In What Ways Are Earwigs Beneficial?

An omnivorous animal feeds on both plants and animals.  Earwigs come out at night, not only to hunt things that don’t fight back like fruits and vegetables, but also to eat other insects like moths and their eggs, caterpillars, and smaller insects dead or alive.

Remember that your garden really is a small ecosystem filled with various organisms of different species.  In that small world, earwigs are predators that take part in controlling the population of other insects and pests.  However, you should not allow them to grow in large population, otherwise they can wreak havoc in the garden.

Ways to Get Rid of Earwigs

Although earwigs do not generally infest homes, there are some spots the insects find inviting enough.  Earwigs like leaves, woodpiles, and decaying organic matter lying around in a damp space, for example a dirty moist basement.  An unfinished basement floor creates an ideal environment for earwigs to thrive, while open area around the sill or windows and doors provide an uninterrupted gateway to move in.

Once the earwigs are inside and get comfortable, females would not hesitate to lay eggs in the house.  A female may lay a batch of 30 to 60 small pearly white eggs at a time.  Soon enough you will find them gathering in groups in crawl spaces.  So, are there ways to get rid of earwigs from your basement and garden?  Of course there is, below are a few suggestions.

Get Rid of Earwigs with Newspaper Traps

We mentioned a newspaper trap in a previous article on ways to trap silverfish.  Same can be used here.  Believe it or not you can still purchase a newspaper at most convenient stores.  Crazy I know.  Anyway, after you finish reading the news, roll up a few sheets of the newspaper like a stick and hold your stick together with rubber bands.  Dampen with water.  And, in the evening, place your homemade earwig trap in your garden or in an area of your house you suspect earwigs to frequent.  When you wake up from sleep the next morning, check your traps.  You may be a bit surprised to see that earwigs have found their way into your newspaper trap.  If so, just pick up the newspaper without unrolling it, place the newspaper in a plastic bag large enough to hold your trap, tie the bag and toss it in the garbage.  Then simply repeat the process in the evenings that follow.

Tuna Can Trap for Earwigs

Similar to the newspaper trap, the tuna can trap is a way to trick earwigs into being captured.  Simply place a small can with the upper edge level with the ground.  In case you have difficulties digging a small hole to position the can, you can simply wrap an old damp towel around it.  Remember not to cover the opening at the top.  Fill the can with a mixture of vegetable oil and bacon grease.  Do not fill up to the brim, about ½ inch will be all that is needed.  In the morning, if you see any earwigs in the trap, shake them out into a bucket of soapy water to kill them.  You can use the same trap over and over again.

Commercial Traps for Earwigs

There are mass manufactured versions of the tuna can trap out there, as well as sticky traps ready to purchase that also work.  Below are a few.  Links to Amazon.com

The Earwig Abyss – By: The Ultimate Earwig Trap	Spider and Insect Trap – By: Terro

Reusable Earwig Trap – By: BioCare	Trapper Insect Trap – By: Bell

Pesticides to Get Rid of Earwigs

Yes, there are pesticides that have been created to get rid of earwigs.  They work as well.  Ready-made pesticides labeled for earwigs control are usually meant to be applied outdoors.  If you want to prevent these insects from infesting your home, apply them around your home’s foundation.  Regardless of the pesticides you use, make sure to always read the label on the container, follow the directions of use and store the container out of reach of children.  Dispose of the empty containers safely.  Some pesticide products that work well are listed below.  All links to Amazon.com.

Granular Pest Control Insecticide – By: Niban	Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer – By: Ortho

Non-Toxic Insect Killer Spray – By: Dr. Killigan’s

Diatomaceous Earth for Earwigs

We have mentioned diatomaceous earth many times before on this site, as it an effective pest control means to handle termites, bed bugs, beetles, silverfish and other bugs.  Diatomaceous Earth is a light powder that is composed of the fossilized remains of diatoms (a type of algae).  When earwigs come in contact with the substance, it damages their external coating and causes them to squander moisture and expire.  Some products available on Amazon.com are below.

HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer – By Harris	Perma-Guard Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth – By: Perma-Guard Inc.

Diatomaceous Earth – 100% Natural Food Grade -By: EasyGoProducts	Diatomaceous Earth, Ready to Use Crawling Bug/Roach Killer – By: Bonide

In Conclusion

Although not the most vicious of pests, many do not like having earwigs around.  Above methods and products have been effective for many before and will be effective again.  If the earwigs are close to your home, it will be a good idea to remove overgrown vegetation, fire wood and leaf piles around the foundation of your home.

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