How to Get Rid of Earwigs

Earwigs may look like pure nightmare fuel, with those creepy pincers on their tail and the fast, scuttling run they do when they're found. But while earwigs are relatively harmless if you find them in your home—and they won't burrow into your ear while you sleep, as many old wives' tales suggest—many people want to get rid of earwigs that do crop up as soon as possible.

Earwigs are nocturnal, and generally like moist, dark areas like mulch and under stones. They live on a diet of leaves, flowers, fruits, and even other insects—not humans! They'll also seek out light during the night, as they feed on insects

If you do find them in your home, there are ways to get rid of earwigs—and methods you can use to make your house inhospitable to these bugs.

Do Earwigs Bite Humans?

Earwigs don't bite in the traditional sense, and they don't have any venom. But if you do try to pick up an earwig, it could pinch you with those pincers on its tail. It won't break the skin, but it could hurt a bit.

Why Do Earwigs Show Up in Your House?

If you have a damp basement, you may be setting out the welcome mat for earwigs, says Thomas Dobrinska, BCE, PHE, and technical service manager at Terminix. "Neither the eggs nor immature nymphs can withstand the long periods of dryness. This may cause them to seek shelters elsewhere."

And as the weather turns cool, you may find adult earwigs in your home, as they like protected, yet moist areas.

How to Prevent Earwigs in Your House

It's much easier to prevent earwigs in your house than it is to get rid of them once they've already taken up residence. "The key to prevention is to remove mulch, leaf debris, splash guards, stones, and landscape timbers from around the structure," Dobrinska says. "Ensure water is diverted away from the structure." You'll also want to seal any cracks or crevices, screen over weep holes, and repair screens—which can also help prevent you from dealing with other unwelcome house guests.

Running a dehumidifier can help remove moisture from your basement, making it a much less palatable area for earwigs to hang out.

Dobrinska also recommends switching out your outdoor lights for sodium vapor light bulbs, which won't attract earwigs or their favorite foods.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in Your Home

In most cases, you probably only have a few earwigs hanging around, which you can likely handle the old-fashioned way—with a vacuum cleaner or a shoe stomp. Dobrinska also says that applying pesticides and granular insect baits can help get rid of an earwig problem. You can also try spraying them with a solution of 70 percent rubbing alcohol and water. But even glue traps like you use for mice, if you set them up in areas where you've seen earwigs, can do the trick.

Taking on some of the prevention methods—especially the ones that address moisture, such as using a dehumidifier and fixing any leaks in the home—could help encourage earwigs to move out on their own.