How to Get Rid of Ear Wigs

Although earwigs are harmless to humans, their nasty appearance makes them an undesirable indoor pest. More commonly, earwigs cause problems in the garden, chewing on plants and leaving small holes in leaves and flowers.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Caulk
• Caulk gun
• Can
• Piece of a vegetable
• Bucket
• Water
• Liquid detergent

Instructions

Getting rid of earwigs indoors

1. Vacuum your home regularly, particularly areas where you have noticed earwigs.

2. Cut off any possible entry ways for the earwigs, using caulk to seal crevices in walls, around windows or in doorways, if necessary. Repair damaged screens.

3. Remove any mulch, plant material, firewood or other organic materials that might be piled around your home's foundation.

4. Eliminate other sources of attraction, including leaky faucets or loose well caps, or any standing moisture. Make sure to also check potted plants for signs of infestation, since earwigs are usually attracted to organic materials.

Eliminating earwigs in the garden

1. Put a piece of a vegetable inside an aluminum can, and place it in your garden or shed to bait the earwigs.

2. Check the can daily for any earwigs. Dump the insects in a bucket of soapy water to kill them.

3. Apply an insecticide to crevices in the house or the ground around the outside of the house. Appropriate treatments include carbaryl (Sevin), acephate (Orthene), bifenthrin, permethrin, cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate and propoxur (Baygon).

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that earwigs primarily live outdoors. In fact, they virtually never breed indoors. If you have an indoor earwig infestation, the source of the problem most likely lies in an unsealed doorway or window.

References

• University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences: The Bug Review: Earwig
• University of Wisconsin: Controlling Earwigs
• Ohio State University Extension: Earwigs