How to Get Rid of Pincher Bugs: Top 10 Effective Methods

Earwigs, often called pincher bugs, can be quite a nuisance in gardens and homes. Not only are they unsightly, but they can also cause significant damage to plants and wooden structures. Fortunately, there are several effective methods on how to get rid of pincher bugs and keep them from coming back. This article will explain the top 10 techniques to eliminate these pesky insects.

Key Takeaways

• Boric Acid is a powerful chemical that can effectively kill pincher bugs.
• Diatomaceous Earth is a natural, non-toxic option for eliminating these pests.
• Essential Oils like tea tree and lavender can repel pincher bugs.
• Soapy Water can be used to drown and kill earwigs on contact.
• Vacuuming is a quick and clean method to remove pincher bugs from your home.

1. Boric Acid

Boric acid is a natural insecticide that will kill pesky earwigs on contact. You can pick it up in powder form at your local hardware store and sprinkle it wherever earwigs enter your home. Boric acid and diatomaceous earth are both organic substances that kill earwigs. Remember that boric acid is toxic if ingested, so apply it carefully using the manufacturer’s instructions and consider using another removal method if you have pets or young children.

How to Apply Boric Acid

• Buy boric acid at hardware stores or online.
• Use as much boric acid as you need if it remains out of reach of infants and animals.
• Sprinkle boric acid powder in your garden’s cracks, crevices, and damp corners to target earwigs.

Safety Precautions

Before handling boric acid, always wear protective gloves, follow instructions, and never use it around children or pets. The boric acid powder can be harmful if ingested or if it comes into contact with the skin.

Boric acid powder is a natural insecticide that kills earwigs on contact. Sprinkle the powder in spots that earwigs are likely to crawl through it, like alongside baseboards.

2. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a finely ground sediment powder that dehydrates and eventually kills earwigs. This natural substance is made from the fossilized remains of sea-dwelling organisms called diatoms. It effectively eliminates earwigs by penetrating their exoskeleton, causing dehydration and death. You can find this natural solution at home improvement and garden stores, typically costing between $30 and $40. Make sure to grab the food-grade type, especially if it’s near anything that could be consumed.

How to Use Diatomaceous Earth

Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around your home’s perimeter or in areas where earwigs are active. This is best used in dry soil, as it is not as effective when wet. If you’re wondering how to get rid of earwigs in your house, this method is highly recommended.

Safety Precautions

Food-grade DE is safe for pets, young children, and plants. However, it can be harmful to humans if inhaled, causing cough and other respiratory issues. Always wear a mask when applying it.

For those asking how do you get rid of earwigs, using diatomaceous earth or copper tape to protect your plants is a highly effective method. Create your own earwig traps using old tuna cans and fish or vegetable oil. Kill the trapped earwigs by disposing of them properly.

3. Essential Oils

Essential oils are a natural and effective way to repel pincher bugs. 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. Soapy Water

One effective, non-toxic repellent is a homemade, soapy solution spray. Add a few drops of dish soap to warm water in a spray bottle. Shake the solution until it’s soapy before spraying any areas or corners around the home and yard where you’ve spotted pesky earwigs. This soapy substance will stop them from returning to the area.

How to Make Soapy Water Solution

1. Fill a spray bottle with warm water.
2. Add a few drops of dish soap.
3. Shake the bottle until the solution is soapy.

Application Tips

• Test the mixture on a small area first to ensure it doesn’t damage plants.
• Spray directly on earwigs and in areas where they are commonly found.
• Reapply as needed to maintain effectiveness.

Check these “traps” each morning, and dump the earwigs into a bucket of soapy water. Spread petroleum jelly around the stems of your plants to further deter them.

5. Vacuum

Using a vacuum is an effective way to get rid of pincher bugs in your home. Tidy up and get earwigs out of your house simultaneously by running your vacuum—you can use a handheld one to capture the bugs outside. Once you have sucked them up, make sure you either discard the vacuum bag immediately or empty the canister into a bucket of soapy water. This will ensure any earwigs you have sucked up are killed.

6. Sticky Traps

Sticky traps are an effective method for controlling pincher bugs, especially in areas where they are frequently seen. These traps can be purchased online or at home improvement stores for about $10. It’s best to lay them in areas where you’ve seen earwigs or near obvious feeding or shelter locations. Since earwigs are attracted to bright lights, you can place a light near the trap to draw them in.

How to Set Up Sticky Traps

1. Identify areas where pincher bugs are commonly found.
2. Place the sticky traps in these locations.
3. Optionally, use a bright light near the traps to increase their effectiveness.

Disposal of Trapped Pincher Bugs

Once you’ve trapped the pincher bugs, you can dispose of them by dumping them into a bucket of soapy water. This ensures they are killed and cannot return to your home or garden.

Benefits of Using Sticky Traps

• Cost-effective: Sticky traps are relatively inexpensive.
• Easy to use and set up.
• Non-toxic and safe for use around pets and children.

Sticky traps are a safe gardening tip for how to get rid of pincher bugs in house and garden environments. They are simple yet effective tools in your pest control arsenal.

7. Neem Oil

Neem oil disrupts the earwigs’ feeding and reproductive cycles. It acts as a natural deterrent without harming other beneficial insects or plants. To try this approach, apply a diluted solution of neem oil to plant leaves or affected areas indoors.

8. Alcohol Spray

Alcohol is a potent earwig killer. To make an alcohol-based pesticide, combine 70% Isopropyl alcohol and water in a spray bottle. You can spray this mixture anywhere on earwigs frequently, including plants.

How to Prepare the Mixture

To make an insecticidal spray, mix equal parts 70 percent alcohol and water. If using 95 percent alcohol, mix 1 part alcohol to 1 ½ parts water. The spray must come into contact with the insects to be effective, so target them directly.

Testing the Mixture

Make sure you test the mixture on a leaf about 24 hours before spraying the whole plant. High alcohol levels can damage foliage, and some plants are more resilient than others. If needed, you can dilute your solution with more water.

Application Tips

• Spray directly on the earwigs each time you see them.
• Keep this away from young children and pets.

Alcohol controls these pests by acting as a surfactant, or wetting agent, that can penetrate an insect’s waxy coat of armor and kill on contact with the body. Isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) works fine and is easy to find, but be sure it doesn’t have additives. Ethanol (grain alcohol) seems to work best.

9. Light Traps

Light traps are an effective method to control pincher bugs, especially since earwigs are attracted to bright lights. These traps can be easily set up in areas where you’ve seen earwigs or near apparent feeding or shelter locations. Light traps can significantly reduce the earwig population in your home or garden.

10. Cedar Oil

Cedar oil is a natural and effective way to repel pincher bugs. This essential oil is known for its ability to disrupt the pheromones of many insects, making it difficult for them to communicate and breed. Cedar oil can be used indoors and outdoors, providing a versatile solution for pest control.

How to Use Cedar Oil

To use cedar oil, mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture around areas where you’ve noticed pincher bugs. This method is beneficial for indoor pest control and safe to use around children and pets.

Benefits of Cedar Oil

• Natural and non-toxic
• Safe for indoor use
• Effective in disrupting insect pheromones

Precautions

While cedar oil is generally safe, testing a small area first is essential to ensure no adverse reactions. Additionally, avoid spraying directly on plants as it may cause damage.

Cedar oil has been proven to kill and repel common pests, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a natural solution.

Conclusion

Handling pincher bugs, also known as earwigs, can be manageable with the correct methods. You can successfully eliminate these pests from your home and garden using natural and chemical solutions. Remember to maintain a clean and dry environment, as earwigs thrive in moist conditions. Regularly inspect and protect your home to prevent future infestations. With these top 10 effective methods on how to get rid of pincher bugs, you can create a bug-free living space, allowing you to enjoy your home and garden without the annoyance of these pesky insects.

Frequently Asked Questions