Cut moisture, remove clutter, seal gaps, swap bright lights for yellow, set simple traps, and use low-risk barriers before any spray.
Fast Facts: Keeping Earwigs Away
Earwigs drift toward damp, tight spaces and nighttime lights. They slip under mulch, boards, and door thresholds, then wander indoors when yards dry out or heat spikes. The fix starts outside: dry things out, clean up shelter, block entry, and make doors and lights less inviting. Then trap stragglers until numbers fade.
| Earwig Magnet | Why It Draws Them | What To Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Soaked mulch and leaf piles near walls | Cool, damp daytime shelter | Thin mulch, rake debris, keep a dry 12–18 inch strip by the foundation |
| Leaky spigots, short downspouts | Chronic moisture at the base of walls | Fix leaks, extend downspouts 6 feet, grade soil away from the house |
| Bright white bulbs at doors | Night lighting pulls insects to thresholds | Use yellow “bug” lights that attract fewer insects |
| Dense groundcovers against beds | Perfect daytime hideouts | Lift or thin plants and edging; prune to let sun and air through |
| Open gaps under doors and siding | Easy indoor access | Install door sweeps, seal cracks with exterior-grade caulk |
| Clogged gutters and wet window wells | Persistent damp shelters | Clean gutters; add covers or gravel to wells |
These simple changes line up with integrated pest management. Start with prevention and low-risk tactics, then only step up if needed. You get fewer earwigs and fewer chemicals around people, pets, and plants.
Keeping Pincher Bugs Away Outdoors: Moisture, Hiding Spots, Light
Dry The Perimeter
Start at the perimeter. Most indoor sightings trace back to damp landscaping. If the ground near siding stays wet, earwigs stick around. Shift irrigation to morning drip, avoid nightly soaking, and let the top inch of soil dry between cycles. Pull mulch back from the foundation and keep firewood off the ground on racks.
Reduce Hiding Spots
Cleanouts matter. Empty stacked pots, lift stepping stones, and shake out doormats. Tidy ivy and heavy groundcovers where earwigs sleep during the day. Move compost and woodpiles away from doors. Clear fallen petals and fruit quickly so there’s less to eat after dark.
Switch Door Lighting
Swap bright bulbs at entryways for warm yellow lamps that draw fewer insects near thresholds. A small change at a busy door can cut nightly visitors by a lot because fewer insects gather under the glow in the first place.
Inside The House: Keep Pincher Bugs Out
Seal And Sweep
Block entry first. Fit door sweeps that touch the sill. Seal cracks at slab joints, utility penetrations, and siding seams. Screen crawl vents and repair torn window screens. Run a dehumidifier in damp basements so the air doesn’t feel like a cave. Vacuum any that wander inside; no need for indoor sprays per UC IPM guidance.
Dry Indoor Hotspots
Laundry rooms, sump closets, and bath areas often stay humid. Vent dryers outside, fix slow pipe weeps, and hang mats so they dry between uses. Store pet food in sealed bins and wipe bowls at night. A few tiny changes remove the reasons earwigs stick around.
Earwigs don’t breed indoors. Without moisture and shelter they dry out and die. That’s why entry control and spot cleanups solve the root problem faster than broadcast treatments.
Traps, Barriers, And Baits: What Works, What To Skip
DIY Traps That Work
Trapping knocks numbers down fast while prevention takes hold. Drop a splash of vegetable oil in a shallow tuna can with a hint of fish oil or bacon grease, sink it to soil level near beds, and empty it each morning. Roll a sheet of damp newspaper (a method long recommended by UF/IFAS) or tuck short corrugated cardboard tubes by plants at dusk; shake the catch into soapy water at sunrise. Repeat nightly until traps come up empty.
Set And Reset Timing
Put traps out just before dark, when earwigs begin to move. In the morning, dump and reset. Daily resets keep lures fresh and prevent odors that might repel catches on the second day.
Barriers And Sprays
For barriers, dust a light ring of diatomaceous earth around planters and door thresholds when weather is dry. Sticky bands on tree trunks stop climbs to fruit and blossoms. If you try a perimeter spray, pick a product labeled for earwigs and spot-treat the base of exterior walls and thresholds only. Leave indoor broadcast spraying off the list.
Common Sense Around Edibles
Follow the label for any pesticide near herbs or vegetables. Use only where and how the label allows. Keep pets and kids away until treated spots are dry.
Skip These
Skip coffee grounds, chili powder, and harsh home brews. They don’t give reliable control and can harm plants, finish, or skin. Stick with traps, sanitation, and labeled products.
Yard And Garden Care Earwigs Dislike
Watering And Pruning
Water smart. Switch sprinklers to early morning and aim for the root zone, not bare foundations. Thin dense edges and raise plant skirts so air and sun reach the soil. Harvest ripe fruit quickly and clear fallen petals, which keep earwigs hanging around to feed.
Mulch And Cleanup
Keep mulch to about two inches and pull it back from stems. Where earwigs chew petals, set nightly traps near the specific plant instead of spraying the whole border. Many earwigs also feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pests, so target only the hotspots that matter.
What Keeps Earwigs Away At Night: Light And Moisture Tweaks
Tune Your Lights
Night is their active window. If door lights blaze, they gather under the glow and slide under the threshold. Swap cool white bulbs for warm yellow options and place fixtures a few feet from doors to light paths without building a bug magnet.
Evening Habits
Fix hose leaks and stop over-watering late in the day so the surface isn’t wet at dusk. On patios, lift cushions and wipe tables before nightfall so there’s no damp hiding spot waiting by lamplight. Store pet dishes indoors overnight. Keep door sills dry and clean; even a damp welcome mat can host a surprising number.
Myths, Bites, And Safety
What The Pincers Do
Those pincers look fierce, but they’re for gripping prey and unfolding wings. An earwig might nip if grabbed, which feels like a weak pinch. There’s no venom involved.
What They Don’t Do
They don’t carry venom and don’t seek out ears, as noted by the University of Minnesota Extension. Treat them as a nuisance that thrives in damp clutter, not a medical threat.
Pet-Safe And Kid-Smart Moves
Low-Residue Tactics
Choose tactics that don’t leave residue on floors and toys. Stick with vacuuming, traps, sealing, and moisture control indoors. If you apply diatomaceous earth, keep dust low and away from play areas and pick a product meant for insect control.
Label And Storage
Store any pesticide in original containers out of reach; follow the label to the letter. Use spot applications outdoors first, and only where activity is seen. When in doubt, pick the lowest-toxicity route or ask a local extension office for product choices.
When Numbers Spike And You Need Backup
What A Pro Will Do
Some seasons bring waves, especially after wet springs followed by heat. If nightly traps still fill and you’ve tightened up moisture and entry points, call a licensed pro. Ask for an integrated plan that starts with sealing and habitat cleanup, with spot treatments only where needed.
| Tool | Where It Shines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oil can trap | Beds, borders, near foundations | Use tuna/vegetable oil plus fish oil or bacon grease; empty daily |
| Rolled newspaper / cardboard | Next to chewed plants | Set at dusk; shake into soapy water at sunrise |
| Diatomaceous earth | Dry thresholds, planter rims | Light dusting only; reapply after rain or irrigation |
| Sticky trunk band | Fruit trees, roses | Stops climbing; keep bands clean of debris |
| Door sweep + caulk | Exterior doors, base gaps | Best indoor relief long-term; combine with dehumidifier in wet spaces |
| Perimeter spray | Base of exterior walls | Use products labeled for earwigs; spot-treat, avoid indoor broadcast |
Step-By-Step Plan For A Drier, Quieter Perimeter
- Thin mulch and rake a dry strip along the foundation.
- Fix leaks, extend downspouts, and dry out window wells.
- Swap bright bulbs at doors for warm yellow lamps.
- Install door sweeps; seal cracks and utility gaps.
- Set oil traps and newspaper rolls each evening for a week.
- Dust diatomaceous earth at dry thresholds if needed.
- Re-check weekly; keep the dry strip clear and traps ready during peak season.
Why These Steps Work
Earwigs chase shelter, moisture, and nighttime light. When you take those away, they move on. Traps hit the ones already present while sanitation and sealing remove what brings them back. That two-track approach gives steady relief without coating rooms in chemicals.