Top 10 Tips on How to Get Rid of Earwigs in House Naturally

Earwigs are pests that nobody wants to discover in their home. Their intimidating appearance and ability to damage plants make it clear why homeowners want to eliminate them. Luckily, many natural methods can address an earwig infestation without relying on harmful chemicals. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 tips on how to get rid of earwigs in house naturally.

Key Takeaways

  • Boric acid is a highly effective natural insecticide that kills earwigs on contact. However, it should be used carefully around children and pets.
  • Diatomaceous earth is a safe and natural option that works by dehydrating earwigs, making it an excellent choice for households with children and pets.
  • Essential oils like citronella, lavender, and cinnamon can repel earwigs when applied on cotton balls and placed in affected areas.
  • Attracting natural predators such as frogs, birds, and spiders can help keep earwig populations under control.
  • DIY and soy sauce traps are easy and cost-effective ways to capture and eliminate earwigs.

1. Boric Acid

Boric acid powder in a small container with a spoon, used for natural earwig removal in the house.

Boric acid is a natural insecticide that effectively eliminates earwigs from your home. It kills earwigs on contact and prevents them from crawling near the treated areas. You can buy boric acid at hardware stores or online. Here are some tips on how to use boric acid safely and effectively:

  • Sprinkle boric acid powder in cracks and crevices where earwigs are likely to hide, such as in the bathroom, kitchen, windowsills, or gaps at the baseboards.
  • Use as much boric acid as necessary, but keep it out of the reach of infants and animals.
  • Wear protective gloves when handling boric acid and follow the instructions on the label.
  • The boric acid powder can also be sprinkled around wood piles or in damp corners in your garden to target earwigs.

Boric acid is an insecticide that will kill earwigs on contact and stop them from crawling anywhere near the powder. Always handle it with care and keep it away from children and pets.

2. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a highly effective natural method for controlling earwigs. This substance is made from the fossilized remains of sea-dwelling organisms called diatoms. The tiny, sharp particles in DE penetrate the earwig’s exoskeleton, causing dehydration and death. Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around your home’s perimeter or in areas where earwigs are active. Note that this product can harm humans if inhaled, causing cough and irritation.

How to Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Sprinkle DE in dry soil, as it is not as effective when wet. Apply it around the base of plants or anywhere else you see earwigs. Use food-grade DE-free of other toxic pesticides if it’s near anything that could be consumed.

Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth

  • 100% organic and non-toxic
  • Effective against various insects, including ants
  • Affordable and easy to apply

Precautions

  • Requires regular re-application
  • Can harm beneficial insects
  • Not effective in wet conditions

For even better protection, sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your foundation. This will help you keep earwigs out of the house and maintain a pest-free environment.

3. Essential Oils

Essential oils bottle with fresh herbs and flowers on a wooden table, representing natural remedies for earwigs.

Essential oils are a natural and effective way to repel earwigs. Like most pests, such as rats, wasps, and mosquitoes, earwigs hate the whiff of strong scents. Some essential oils or aromatic plants may be fresh-smelling to us but offensive to earwigs. Scents are primarily found in our kitchens and include peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, cinnamon, garlic, and basil. Dilute a few drops of essential oil into water in a spray bottle. Then spray around areas in your home or yard where you have seen earwigs.

4. Natural Predators

One effective and environmentally friendly way to control earwig populations is by attracting their natural predators. This method is safe for kids, pets, and the environment, though it may not provide immediate results.

Frogs and Toads

Frogs and toads are excellent natural predators of earwigs. Creating a small pond or water feature in your garden can help attract these amphibians.

Birds

Birds are another natural predator of earwigs. You can draw birds to your garden by installing a bird feeder or bath. Planting berry bushes or fruit trees can also make the area more appealing to them.

Wolf Spiders and Centipedes

Wolf spiders and centipedes are beneficial insects that prey on earwigs. Encouraging these predators can help keep the earwig population in check.

Tachinid Flies

Like marigolds, alyssum will help attract earwigs’ natural predators to your garden. This flower is a favorite of the tachinid fly, and these flies are known to consume earwigs.

Attracting natural predators is an effective, affordable, and eco-friendly way to manage earwig populations, but it requires patience and consistent effort.

5. DIY Traps

Creating your DIY traps is an effective and natural way to control earwig populations in your home. Here are some methods you can try:

Soy Sauce and Oil Trap

In a small container, mix equal parts of molasses or corn syrup, cooking oil, and full-salt soy sauce. Bury it up to the brim wherever you have an earwig problem. Prop a lid or stone over the top, leaving a small hole for them to crawl into the container. You’ll be surprised just how many you get.

In-Ground Traps

You can also make a trap with a paper cup, soy sauce, and olive oil. Mix a few teaspoons of each ingredient and place it into the cup. Bury the cup in your soil up to the soil level. The earwigs love the ingredients, and the oil will keep them in the trap.

Wet Cardboard Trap

Place a piece of wet cardboard in your garden to attract earwigs. You can also use a sticky barrier such as tape to get them stuck before they climb up the plant to cause damage. Once you’ve trapped the earwigs, you can dump them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them.

Making your own traps is a simple and cost-effective way to manage earwig infestations without using harmful chemicals.

6. Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum cleaner nozzle sucking up an earwig on a wooden floor, illustrating natural pest control.

Using a vacuum cleaner is an effective way to eliminate earwigs in your home. Thoroughly vacuum clean areas where you often spot earwigs. This method helps eliminate the visible earwigs and any egg clusters that might be present. Giving household furnishings a good shake is worthwhile, as earwigs tend to hide in items where we least expect them!

Steps to Follow

  1. Use a handheld or regular vacuum to capture the bugs.
  2. Make sure to vacuum all areas, including hidden spots.
  3. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately or empty the canister into a bucket of soapy water to ensure the earwigs are killed.

After vacuuming earwigs, experts advise to either dispose of the vacuum bag, or empty the vacuum into a bucket of soapy water. This will ensure any earwigs you have sucked up are killed.

7. Reduce Moisture

Reducing moisture will make your space less attractive for earwigs and other pests. Earwigs thrive in damp and moist conditions, so addressing moisture issues is crucial in your quest on how to get rid of pincher bugs in house.

Use a Dehumidifier

If you have a humidity problem in the home, invest in one of the best dehumidifiers to dry up some moisture. While this may not completely get rid of earwigs, it will do a good job of improving the conditions and keeping them at bay.

Fix Leaks

Fix leaks in faucets or other plumbing fixtures to minimize moisture buildup indoors. If your gutters are damaged, repair or replace them to ensure proper drainage around your home’s foundation.

Keep Drains and Gutters Clear

Clear drains and gutters to prevent water pooling and creating a damp environment. This simple step can significantly reduce the moisture levels in and around your home.

Reducing moisture is an easy, affordable, and effective way to make your home less attractive to earwigs and other pests.

8. Soy Sauce Trap

Creating a soy sauce trap is an effective and natural way to get rid of earwigs in your house. The soy sauce will attract the earwigs, and the oil will prevent them from escaping. Change the mixture as needed.

Materials Needed

  • Small plastic container
  • Vegetable oil
  • Soy sauce
  • Lid with holes (0.25 inches in diameter)

Steps to Create the Trap

  1. Take a small plastic container and mix vegetable oil and soy sauce inside equal parts.
  2. Create holes in the lid that are about 0.25 inches in diameter.
  3. Cover the plastic container with the lid.
  4. Place the container in areas where you have noticed earwig activity.

Why It Works

The soy sauce acts as bait due to its strong smell, which attracts earwigs. The oil prevents them from crawling out once they are inside the container. Additionally, the salt in the soy sauce can kill the earwigs, making this method both a trap and a deterrent.

This method is simple yet effective, and you can easily make multiple traps to cover different areas of your home.

9. Cotton Ball Soak

Cotton ball soaked in natural solution placed near window sill to repel earwigs naturally.

Cotton ball soaks are a simple yet effective way to deter earwigs from entering your home. Soaking cotton balls in essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus can create a natural barrier that earwigs find repellent. Place these soaked cotton balls in entry points, closets, or crawl spaces to keep earwigs at bay.

10. Naturally-Derived Pesticides

If you want to get rid of earwigs, you don’t always have to invest in hard-hitting chemicals. Instead, you can use products made from naturally derived compounds. Two options we like are Essentria IC-3, a perimeter spray designed for use around the outside of your home, and Essentria Contact Spray, which is effective for use around the doors and windows of your home.

For best results, the pesticides should be applied at night and chemical control methods combined with trapping and sanitation protocols should be combined.

Non-toxic, safe for use around kids and pets, but requires regular re-application.

Conclusion

In summary, eliminating earwigs naturally is achievable, eco-friendly, and safe for your home. To effectively manage and reduce earwig populations, you can use a combination of DIY traps, natural repellents such as essential oils, and organic substances like boric acid and diatomaceous earth. Additionally, keeping your environment clean and dry and attracting natural predators can help keep these pests away. Implementing these strategies will address the current earwig issue and prevent future infestations, ensuring a more comfortable and pest-free living space. This is how to get rid of earwigs in house.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are earwigs, and why are they in my house?

Earwigs are small insects with a distinctive pair of pincers on their abdomen. They are attracted to moist, dark environments and may enter homes for food or shelter.

Is boric acid safe to use around pets and children?

No, boric acid is not safe to use around pets and children. It should be applied in areas that are inaccessible to them to avoid accidental ingestion or contact.

How does diatomaceous earth work to kill earwigs?

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that damages the exoskeletons of insects like earwigs, causing them to dehydrate and die. It is effective and safe for use in homes.

Can essential oils repel earwigs?

Yes, essential oils like lavender, citronella, and cinnamon can repel earwigs. Their strong scents deter earwigs from entering treated areas.

What are some natural predators of earwigs?

Earwigs are naturally preyed upon by frogs, birds, centipedes, and certain types of spiders. Encouraging these predators in your garden can help control earwig populations.

How do I make a DIY trap for earwigs?

You can make a DIY trap by filling a shallow container with soy sauce and a few drops of vegetable oil. The earwigs are attracted to the soy sauce, fall into the container, and are trapped by the oil.