How To Get Rid of Earwigs

Earwigs are attracted to lights and can become a nuisance on porches and patios, cause damage to plants in gardens and flower beds, and even inside your home. Earwigs also prefer cool, damp areas and being excellent climbers, may enter your home during extended dry periods.

Earwig Prevention Tips

Eliminating any potential hiding spots and entry points is key to controlling earwigs.

Landscaping Tips To Get Rid Of Earwigs

• Clean Up Yard Clutter – Move loose items or clutter away from your home’s foundation. Things like timber logs, mulch, grass clippings, decorative stones and piles of firewood are excellent harbourage areas for earwigs.
• Eliminate Moist Soil and Keep Vegetation Away from your House Foundation – If possible, create a harbourage free strip that is 6” to 12” wide next to the foundation so earwigs will avoid it. This area should be free of moisture, mulch, dead leaves, and any organic material as these are ideal food source and living space for earwigs. Keeping these conducive factors away from the house will help lower the area’s attractiveness to earwigs.
• Trim Back Any Overhanging Branches – Trimming trees and shrubs that can cause dampness and shady areas near the house and the foundation of your home will make the area less desirable to earwigs. Since earwigs are excellent climbers, trimming back branches and shrubs will help prevent them from entering the house via roof top level.

Tips For Around Your Home To Get Rid Of Earwigs

• Proper Drainage is Key – Examine your gutters and downspouts to make sure they drain away from your home’s foundation and that they are clean and free flowing. Backed up gutters, or anything else that can create wet spots near your home makes the area attractive to earwigs. If possible, set any irrigation systems to water in the morning and then allow the landscape to dry during the day.
• Fix Leaky Drains And Pipes – Earwigs prefer cool and moist locations. Look for and fix any pipes or drains that might be leaking. Eliminating these dripping spots will help eliminate the earwig’s ideal environment.
• Dry Out Any High Moisture Areas – In a damp basement a dehumidifier might help.
• Window Screen Holes – If you have screened windows, make sure that they are insect proof and not damaged and do not have holes. If damaged or torn, repair or replace. Ensure crawl space vents and other vents are appropriately screened. This will help eliminate any potential entry points.
• Seal Cracks, Gaps And Holes – Check around the exterior wall and foundation of your home, especially near entrances, vents and utility line entry points. Where feasible caulk any cracks and holes you find so that earwigs cannot find those small crevices and use them as an access point into your home.

Related: How To Prevent Baby Earwigs At Home 

Call for Professional Assistance with Earwig Removal

Earwigs can infest many different areas of your home and often a pest control professional will have the knowledge, products, and equipment to effectively control earwigs. Your local Orkin Canada pest specialist is trained to help manage earwigs and similar pests that may invade your home or business. Contact Orkin Canada today for professional earwig control.