How Do I Keep Earwigs Out of My House?
Earwigs have a knack for making their way into our homes, but their pincers and preference for damp environments make them unsuitable for indoor spaces. If you’re battling earwigs in your house or want to prevent them altogether, the good news is that you can take effective steps to manage and eliminate them. Here’s everything you need to know about what attracts earwigs and how to keep them out of your home.
What attracts earwigs to homes?
Earwigs prefer dark, damp, and cool environments, making some areas of your home particularly inviting. Here’s what can draw them inside:
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Moisture: Leaky pipes, condensation, or damp basements create ideal conditions.
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Organic Material: Piles of wet leaves, mulch, or decaying vegetation near foundations encourage earwig activity.
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Light Attraction: Earwigs are drawn to bright outdoor lights, which often leads them to doors and windows.
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Cracks & Gaps: Small entry points, from window screens to foundation cracks, easily allow these small, flat-bodied insects to slip indoors.
How to Prevent Earwigs in Your Home
The best way to deal with earwigs is to prevent them from coming inside in the first place. Here are five steps to safeguard your space from these unwelcome visitors:
1. Reduce Moisture
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Fix leaking pipes and faucets promptly.
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Use a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements or crawlspaces.
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Ensure that gutters and downspouts direct water away from your home's foundation.
2. Clear Organic Debris
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Pull mulch and soil at least 12–18 inches back from your home’s foundation.
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Regularly remove fallen leaves, grass clippings, and decaying vegetation.
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Avoid stacking firewood directly against your house.
3. Seal Entry Points
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Repair cracks in your foundation or walls.
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Install door sweeps and ensure window screens fit properly.
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Add weatherstripping around doors and windows.
4. Adjust Outdoor Lighting
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Replace outdoor lights with yellow LED bulbs, which are less attractive to insects.
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Limit unnecessary lighting near doors and windows.
5. Inspect Items Brought Indoors
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Check plants, newspapers, firewood, or similar items for hitchhiking earwigs before bringing them inside.
How to Get Rid of Earwigs Indoors
Already spotted earwigs? While they don’t usually indicate a massive infestation, it’s still unpleasant to see them scurrying across your floor. Follow these steps to deal with earwigs indoors:
1. Vacuum or Remove Manually
Use a vacuum to clear earwigs from corners, cracks, and baseboards, then dispose of the bag right away. You can also pick them up with a tissue or paper towel and discard them outdoors.
2. Address Moisture
Check under sinks, around pipes, and in other damp areas. Fix leaks and dry out spaces to eliminate hiding spots.
3. Set Traps
Simple DIY traps can help reduce earwig activity indoors. A small container filled with vegetable oil and soy sauce can attract and trap them, while a rolled-up damp newspaper left overnight provides a hiding place you can easily discard in the morning.
Professional Earwig Control
If your earwig problem persists, or you’re dealing with large numbers, it may be time to call an exterminator. Orkin Pros are trained to help get rid of earwigs and will design a custom treatment program for your home. Contact your local Orkin branch for help protecting your home against earwigs.
More Resources
Why do I have earwigs in my apartment or home?
Like most pests, earwigs are looking for shelter and a source of food to survive. See what may be attracting these pests into your home and how to get rid of earwigs.
Earwigs are normally outside insects and rarely infest a home in large numbers. Learn more about what you can do if you have an earwig infestation.
If you see an earwig, it is best to be cautious around them. These pests are known to bite to protect themselves if they feel threatened. See what you should do when you see an earwig.
You probably know earwigs due to their scary pincers on their abdomen. Learn more about earwig pincers and what they are used for.