How To Prevent Baby Earwigs At Home

Earwig Life Cycle

The earwig life cycle begins in the soil. Adult females emerge from overwintering to lay eggs in the ground. They produce about 60 eggs at a time, which hatch within a week into nymphs (smaller versions of adults). The nymphs molt 4 to 5 times before becoming adults. Most of these pests die during their first cold season.

Baby Earwigs in the Garden & House

Depending on their numbers and location, earwigs can be helpful. These insects eat decaying plants and prey on garden pests like insect larvae, slug eggs, and aphids.

However, large populations of adult and baby earwigs can be problematic as they begin to feed on garden and field plants. They may also enter homes to search for moisture during hot, dry periods.

Earwig Prevention & Control

Checking produce and flowers for baby earwigs before bringing them indoors is one easy way to avoid infestation. Residents can also reduce humidity around the house to repel these pests. Common tactics include:

• Trimming shrubs and aerating or removing mulch to create a low-moisture zone around the home.
• Cultivating garden soil to uncover and dry out eggs before they become baby earwigs.
• Keeping bathrooms, crawl spaces, and other damp areas well ventilated.

The best way to control an active infestation is to focus on reducing baby earwig populations. The professionals at Orkin Canada have the right training and tools to help get rid of these pests and keep them from returning.