Earwigs are attracted to damp areas of the home or yard and are recognizable by their flat, elongated bodies. You can prevent earwigs by getting rid of excess moisture, limiting their food supply, or calling an exterminator.

Some earwig species can cause extensive damage to plants, flowers, and fruits and vegetables in the garden. Inside, they generally don’t cause any harm, but they can release a foul odor when disturbed. Regardless, most homeowners don’t want them around simply because of their menacing appearance.

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, put together this guide with everything you need to know about earwigs. We’ll go over what they are, where they like to hide, and how to get them out of your house.

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Ways to get rid of earwigs

Like most pests, earwigs usually enter a home looking for food or trying to escape the weather. You’ll typically find them in damp places like the basement, bathroom, or laundry room. Though infestations are rare, earwigs can be frightening to look at.

Of course, the first step in getting rid of any insect is identifying what you’re dealing with. But once you’ve confirmed that you have earwigs, there are many simple and safe ways to take care of the problem yourself.

Address moisture

Because earwigs prefer a damp environment, any room with high moisture levels can be attractive to them. In addition, there are many other pests besides earwigs (like silverfish and cockroaches) that like dampness, so there are plenty of reasons to keep your home dry. Here are a few ways to make that happen:

Clean your gutters and extends downspouts to help prevent standing water around your house

Avoid overwatering your lawn or garden

Seal the driveway

Improve the grading

Install a sump pump and french drain

MORE: Does home insurance cover flooded basements?

Remove food and harborage sources

Earwigs feed on things like decaying organic matter, plants (such as flowers, vegetables, and ornamentals), and other insects. Give that information, think about places they may be feeding or hiding, and move them away from the house. These might include:

Compost piles

Mulch

Wood stacks

Leaf litter

Pallets or boards

Cardboard

Dead logs

Key Takeaway Earwigs, and many other pests, love to hide and feed in areas that are cool and damp. Take some time to walk around the perimeter of your home and remove any objects that might make an attractive home to pests—remember, the list above is not all-inclusive.

Keep the lights off at night

Light attracts many insects at night, and earwigs are no different. Certain varieties of earwigs can fly, and they will be attracted to porch lights or even interior lights if they are left on after dark. This especially can be a problem on patios or porches during summer evenings.

You can reduce the presence of earwigs and other insects by turning off any lights when not in use.

Set traps

Traps are a simple and effective way to rid your home of earwigs. While there are plenty of commercial options available, one of the easiest (and cheapest) things you can do is use an old magazine or crumpled-up cardboard.

Simply set your “trap” in the problem area, and earwigs will naturally hide in it on their own. Then, the following morning, pick up the magazine and shake the earwigs out into a bucket of soapy water. Terracotta pots stuffed with straw also can serve the same function.

Seal them out

Of course, one of the best ways to control pests in your home is to stop them from ever entering it in the first place. To keep earwigs (and other insects and rodents) out of your house, seal any cracks and crevices with caulk.

Likewise, make sure windows and doors all seal properly—weather stripping or door seal kits are a great way to keep insects from entering the tops or sides of your entries.

Protect fruit trees

Earwigs love a good fruit tree—and so do other bothersome insects like stink bugs and Japanese beetles. Unfortunately, these insects can harm your trees and ruin your chances of harvesting any fruit.

One way to keep them away is with a simple Vaseline trap. Wrap the tree trunk in plastic wrap, then smear a line of Vaseline about two inches wide around the tree. This will create a sticky barrier around the tree that earwigs won’t cross, preventing them from climbing up and eating your fruit.

Pro Tip Don’t ever apply the Vaseline directly to the trunk of your tree, as it could prevent it from “breathing” and cause serious harm.

MORE: How to remove bugs, tar, and sap from car paint

Earwig exterminators

If you have a large number of earwigs inside your home or in your garden, and you’re unable to get rid of them on your own, call the professionals and hire an exterminator. They will evaluate the situation and determine the best solution for getting rid of the pests.

The exterminator often applies insecticide to wall voids, cracks, crevices, and other areas earwigs might hide—and all people and pets may need to vacate the premises before treatment starts. If the infestation is tough, you may not see results for several weeks.

Key Takeaway Earwig infestations inside the home are rare, though they can occur. If you’re unable to get rid of the pests on your own, a licensed exterminator can use professional-grade insecticides.

What do earwigs look like?

Of course, one of the best ways of preventing or getting rid of earwigs is to know what you’re dealing with in the first place.

Earwigs have elongated, flattened bodies that vary in color (from pale brown to black) and size. They always have six legs and threadlike antennae that measure about half the length of their body. Earwigs are most commonly recognized for their cerci, or pinchers, on their abdomens.

There are more than 1,800 species of earwigs worldwide, but these are the most common in North America:

European earwig

3/8-5/8 inch long

Red-brown body

Pale coloring on their legs, pinchers, and antennae

Most harmful to plants

Spine-tailed earwig

1/2-3/4 inch long

Black body with yellowish legs

Brown and yellow markings

Striped earwig

3/4-1 inch long

Range from light brown to red-brown, with two dark stripes on the mid-section and one dark stripe down the length of their abdomen

Winged with long antennae

Ring-legged earwig

3/8-1 inch long

Live in coastal regions

Dark brown to black

Light yellow legs with a lightly colored ring pattern

No wings

Maritime earwig

5/8-1 inch long

Shiny dark brown to black

Large, with pale short legs and large antennae

Wingless

Least earwig

1/8-1/4 inch long

Light brown and tan to black

Brown-yellow legs with yellowish hairs

Small pinchers

Key Takeaway Earwigs vary in color and size, but they are easily recognizable by the cerci (pinchers) in the center of their body.

MORE: The best home emergency insurance

Signs of earwigs

Earwigs typically prefer to stay outdoors, so home infestations are rare. Still, they do happen—especially in damp environments. A few signs you may have an earwig problem include:

Holes in live plants or flowers

Skeletonized leaves on plants

Foul smell (earwigs produce a pungent secretion when scared or crushed)

Visual confirmation of insects inside your home (look under objects like rugs and potted plants, or under stacks of newspaper)

What causes earwigs? How to prevent future infestations

Earwigs are attracted to small, moist environments that keep them from drying out during daylight hours. As they are nocturnal, they typically stay in these damp hiding spots until darkness has arrived. If there is an excess of moisture around your home, this will draw them in.

To prevent future infestations, remove all earwigs from in and around your house. Then, take these steps to make sure they don’t come back:

Keep mulch, dead leaves, compost, and other vegetation at least 12 inches away from your house

Trim any trees and shrubs that are near the house

Fix leaky drains and pipes

Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear

Fill cracks and holes around the foundation

Check doors, windows, and vents for leaks, gaps, or tears

Use a dehumidifier in the basement

MORE: Can you negotiate upgrades on new construction homes?

Does homeowners insurance cover earwig removal?

Most

homeowners insurance

policies will not cover insects or related damages, as they are considered preventable. However, regular maintenance can help reduce the likelihood of a pest infestation in your home.

If you have questions about your policy or what it covers, contact the friendly representatives at Jerry.

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Why do I keep getting earwigs in my house?

Earwigs are drawn to moisture, so if you keep finding them in your home, you likely have some damp areas they find attractive. Make sure there is no standing water around the foundation of your house and remove anything like mulch or compost that could be drawing them in.

What smells keep earwigs away?

Earwigs don’t like the smells of eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, lemon, cinnamon, rosemary oil, clove oil, or white vinegar.

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