How to Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden and Home Naturally

earwigsAre earwigs a problem in your garden or house? Learn how to get rid of earwigs fast, whether they're in your plants, your bathroom, or your basement — with safe, effective, and natural methods.

What Are Earwigs and Why Do They Appear?

Earwigs are small, dark brown insects with forceps-like pincers at the end of their body. While they look threatening, they don’t bite or sting. They’re nocturnal, moisture-loving bugs that usually hide under mulch, stones, or inside bathrooms and basements.

They’re mostly active in spring and summer, especially in humid regions like Florida, coastal Australia, and the Pacific Northwest.

Are Earwigs in the Garden Good or Bad?

Short answer: Both.

Earwigs are scavengers. In small numbers, they eat aphids, decaying plant matter, and even other soft-bodied pests. This can help your garden.
But in larger numbers, they chew:

  • Seedlings

  • Flower petals

  • Soft fruits like strawberries and peaches

Conclusion: A few earwigs are beneficial. But when they start damaging plants, you need to take action.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden Naturally

1. Reduce watering in the evening. Moist soil attracts earwigs. Let your garden dry out during the night.
2. Thin your mulch. Avoid thick layers of wood chips or compost. Use gravel, straw, or skip mulch near plant stems.
3. Clean up hiding spots. Remove flower pots, stones, garden clutter, and ground-hugging branches.
4. Use DIY earwig traps.

  • Roll up wet newspaper at night. Shake it out in the morning.

  • Bury small containers with soy sauce and oil. They crawl in and drown.

Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Earwigs?

Yes, diatomaceous earth kills earwigs effectively and naturally.

According to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM), diatomaceous earth is considered an effective, low-toxicity option for controlling crawling insects like earwigs. Their guide notes that DE works by damaging the outer layer of an insect's body, causing it to dry out and die. It is especially effective when used in dry conditions and applied directly to hiding spots and pathways.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine powder made from crushed fossilized algae. When earwigs walk over it, the particles pierce their waxy coating, causing them to dehydrate and die within hours or days.

How to use diatomaceous earth for earwigs:

  • Use only food-grade DE (never pool-grade)

  • Dust it lightly around:

    • Garden beds

    • Base of outdoor walls

    • Entry points (doors, windows)

    • Under sinks and behind appliances

  • Reapply after rain or cleaning

It’s non-toxic to pets and humans when used properly — just avoid inhaling the dust. It works best in dry conditions.

Best Homemade Earwig Killer (Dry Mix)

If you want a long-lasting homemade bait, mix:

  • ½ cup food-grade diatomaceous earth

  • ½ cup cornmeal

  • A few drops of oil or sugar water

Place in jar lids or small dishes near walls, baseboards, or in sheds and corners of the garden. The cornmeal attracts the bugs, and the DE kills them once they eat or crawl over it.

Homemade Earwig Killer Spray

If you prefer liquid application indoors:

Recipe:

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap

  • 10 drops peppermint oil (or tea tree oil)

Shake and spray directly on earwigs or entry points. This is a contact killer and natural repellent, safe for indoor use.

Earwig Repellent for Indoor Use

If you just want to repel earwigs without killing:

  • Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them under sinks, in closets, or near drains

  • Spray diluted white vinegar around door frames and bathroom corners

  • Use cedarwood oil or citrus peels in problem areas

These natural repellents don't kill, but they create an unfriendly environment for earwigs.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your House Fast

If you suddenly start seeing earwigs indoors, act immediately:

  1. Vacuum them and dispose of the bag outside.

  2. Seal cracks in baseboards, windows, and plumbing areas.

  3. Fix leaks and reduce humidity. Earwigs won’t survive in dry, clean homes.

  4. Use baits or DE near baseboards, laundry rooms, and basement walls.

  5. Place sticky traps near drains and behind toilets.

Most indoor earwigs came from your yard. Treat both the inside and outside perimeter.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs Naturally (Summary)

Natural removal means combining methods:

  • Clean and dry environments indoors

  • Garden sanitation outdoors

  • Diatomaceous earth, essential oils, and DIY traps

  • No overwatering or mulch buildup

  • Seal every crack and drain you can find

With consistency, you’ll reduce or eliminate the population without poisons.

Final Tips

  • Don't overreact if you see one or two earwigs. Wait before using chemicals.

  • If you see 10+ per day, especially indoors, use dry baits and sealing methods.

  • In very humid areas, consider seasonal treatment with natural repellents.

  • Be cautious with online “tricks” — many are ineffective or attract more bugs than they remove.

Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Pest control laws and approved chemicals vary by country. For best results and legal safety, we strongly recommend contacting a licensed pest control professional in your local area. Always make sure that the pest control technician is properly certified or licensed, depending on your country’s regulations. It’s important to confirm that they only use approved products and apply them exactly as instructed on the product label. In most places in Europe, UK, or USA, following label directions is not just best practice—it’s the law.