How to Get Rid of Earwigs: Quick Methods & Prevention Tips

If you’ve ever flipped on a light in the kitchen at night and spotted a small, dark bug with pincer-like appendages scurrying across the floor, you’ve met an earwig. They’re mostly harmless outdoors—actually beneficial—but nobody wants them indoors – this guide covers quick elimination methods, natural repellents, and long-term prevention to keep them out.

Earwig species worldwide: Over 2,000 ·
Size of entry cracks they exploit: As small as 1/16 inch ·
Common indoor hiding spots: Cracks, baseboards, and damp corners ·
Primary diet: Decaying plant matter and insects

Five key facts about earwigs set the stage for effective control.

What Is the Quickest Way to Get Rid of Earwigs?

When you need earwigs gone now, these three methods deliver the fastest results.

Vacuuming and manual removal

• Vacuum earwigs and immediately dispose of the bag in a sealed outdoor bin (Lowe’s Home Improvement).
• Rolled-up newspaper sections left in infested areas collect earwigs overnight for easy morning removal (Bee Smart Colorado).

Insecticide dusts for cracks

• Boric acid powder spread along baseboards, window crevices, and other dark hiding spots kills earwigs on contact (Arrow Termite and Pest Control).

Diatomaceous earth application

• Diatomaceous earth, a fine powder made from fossilized diatoms, cuts through earwig exoskeletons and causes death within approximately 48 hours of contact (Lowe’s Home Improvement).

The implication: for a single sighting, a vacuum is fastest; for ongoing infestations, barrier powders are more practical.

How Do I Keep Earwigs Out of My House?

Exclusion is the single most effective long-term strategy, and it starts with three actions.

Sealing entry points

• Caulk cracks around windows, doors, and the foundation to block the 1/16-inch gaps earwigs exploit (Arrow Termite and Pest Control).
• Install door sweeps and repair torn window screens (Bee Smart Colorado).

Reducing moisture

• Fix leaky pipes and use dehumidifiers in basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces to eliminate the dampness earwigs need (Lowe’s Home Improvement).
• Create a moisture barrier around the home perimeter with gravel or crushed rock (Bee Smart Colorado).

Eliminating harborage zones near foundation

• Remove piles of leaves, mulch, firewood, and other organic debris touching the house (Arrow Termite and Pest Control).
• Keep grass trimmed and avoid dense ground cover next to the foundation (Bee Smart Colorado).

Why this matters: earwigs are moisture-seeking insects. By taking away water and hiding spots, you remove their reasons to enter.

Why Shouldn’t You Kill Earwigs?

It sounds counterintuitive, but earwigs pull their weight in your garden.

Beneficial garden predators

• Earwigs feed on aphids, mites, and other soft-bodied garden pests, providing natural insect control (Bee Smart Colorado).

Role in decomposition

• They accelerate the breakdown of dead plant material, enriching soil organic matter (YouTube – Garden Control Methods (gardening demonstration)).

Low threat to humans

• They are not aggressive and rarely bite; their pincers are primarily used for defense and mating (Arrow Termite and Pest Control).

The catch: even beneficial insects become pests when they invade homes, so relocation is the best compromise.

What Is a Good Repellent for Earwigs?

Natural repellents offer effective alternatives to chemical sprays, especially near gardens and children’s play areas.

Essential oils (peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus)

• Peppermint oil mixed with water and sprayed along doors, windowsills, and other entry points repels earwigs (Lowe’s Home Improvement).
• Lavender and eucalyptus oils can be used similarly (Lowe’s Home Improvement).

Diatomaceous earth as barrier

• Lightly dust diatomaceous earth along baseboards, window tracks, and the perimeter of rooms to create a sharp barrier that deters crawling insects (Lowe’s Home Improvement).

Soy sauce traps

• Mix equal parts vegetable oil and soy sauce (¼ cup each) in a small container and bury it at soil level in the garden—the smell attracts earwigs, and the oil drowns them (Lowe’s Home Improvement).

The catch: essential oils need frequent reapplication after rain or cleaning; diatomaceous earth works best in dry conditions and loses effectiveness when wet.

How Do I Get Rid of Earwigs in My House?

Indoor infestations require a room-by-room approach combined with moisture control.

Targeting bedrooms and bathrooms

• Earwigs in bedrooms often come from damp closets, under furniture, or near window frames—reduce clutter and check for leaks (Lowe’s Home Improvement).
• In bathrooms, repair dripping faucets and use exhaust fans to lower humidity (Lowe’s Home Improvement).

Using sticky traps

• Sticky traps placed along baseboards and in corners capture earwigs and help you monitor activity levels (Lowe’s Home Improvement).

Moisture control

• Fix moisture issues in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements—earwigs cannot survive long in dry conditions (Arrow Termite and Pest Control).

What this means: indoor earwigs are a symptom of excess moisture and easy entry. Solve those two root causes, and the problem resolves itself.

Step-by-Step Earwig Control Plan

Combine these actions in order for a comprehensive plan.

1. Step 1: Identify and remove – vacuum visible earwigs, dispose of bag outdoors.
2. Step 2: Apply diatomaceous earth or boric acid – dust along baseboards, window tracks, and cracks.
3. Step 3: Set traps – place soy sauce/oil traps outside near doors and in garden beds.
4. Step 4: Seal entry points – caulk gaps around doors, windows, and foundation.
5. Step 5: Reduce indoor moisture – use dehumidifiers and fix leaks.
6. Step 6: Clear outdoor harborage – remove leaf piles, wood stacks, and mulch touching the house.
7. Step 7: Plant repellent herbs – mint, lavender, basil near entry points.

What We Know and What’s Unclear

“Earwigs are attracted to moist environments and can be deterred by creating moisture barriers using gravel or crushed rocks around the home perimeter.”

Bee Smart Colorado (extension resource)

“Diatomaceous earth cuts through earwig exoskeletons, causing death within approximately 48 hours of contact.”

Lowe’s Home Improvement (DIY retailer)

Earwigs are not invaders to be exterminated but beneficial insects that wandered too far indoors. For the homeowner, the choice is clear: seal the house and dry the air, or keep reaching for the vacuum. For the gardener, a few soy sauce traps and a border of mint leaves turn a pest into an ally.

For those dealing with other common household pests, similar strategies can be applied to cockroach elimination methods as well.

Frequently asked questions