Earwigs are more interested in aphids and waste in your yard than your ears. They won’t harm you despite their nasty appearance that might say otherwise. Most chronicles of these pests revolve around their nuisance, nibbling on your pantry foods and garden plants.
In most cases, they wreak havoc solitarily, but in rare cases, you might have an infestation to deal with. Regardless, most homeowners find a couple of them unwanted and upsetting.
Several ways, including insecticides, traps, and repellents, keep these scurrying pests away from your home.
This post will include tips on getting rid of earwigs and ideal ways to prevent them from coming back.
What Are Earwigs
Earwigs are also called pincher bugs and are usually about 15 mm long. These reddish-brown winged creatures are omnivores and will chew on anything organic, from small insects to leaves.
They are not venomous, which means you can pick one up. While they rarely bite, earwigs might try pinching to escape. However, they lack the power to break your skin. So, there’s nothing to worry about if you find one of these pests on your skin.
Why Earwig Infest Homes
Earwigs, like other pests, are searching for food, which your yard provides in significant amounts. A couple of these insects in your yard might not be a cause for alarm. But, in large numbers, they tend to be destructive.
Nocturnal animals prefer hiding in wood piles, rock services, etc. Yards with these hiding places and lots of organic debris and insects to feed on are more likely to be infested by earwigs.
DIY Tips to Get Rid of Earwigs
If earwigs have made it to your garden or, worse, home, there are a couple of DIY techniques to employ to get rid of these creatures. It’s best to try out all of these options discussed in this section to help you find the best solution to your pest problem.
Make a Spray Solution with Soap
This is one of the easiest ways to handle an earwig infestation. These insects don’t find soap and water friendly and would do anything to never come in contact with the mixture.
So, Use a spray bottle, fill it with warm water and add some liquid dish soap to make the spray solution. Now, spray likely areas such as houseplants, doorways, or other earwig-prone regions to eliminate them and prevent future invasion.
Make a Light Trap
Earwigs are easier to lure since they love bright lights. Instead of making a spray solution, use a half-filled bucket with soapy water. Use a bright light to attract the earwigs to your DIY earwig trap by pointing the light to the soapy water.
This method is more suitable for controlling earwig infestation in your yard or garden than the spray solution. Leave the bucket of soapy water and light on your property; you should have a bucket filled with earwigs caught in your trap by morning.
Use Boric Acid Powder
If you don’t have boric acid powder at home, you can purchase one from your hardware store. This chemical compound is lethal to not only earwigs but other crawling bugs. While it’s effective for getting rid of these invading pests, it’s not safe for your kids and pets. Thus, you should apply with extra caution.
Sprinkle the boric acid powder in crevices and other out-of-the-way areas to ensure your kids or pets cannot reach but are accessible to these creatures.
Spray Solution with Alcohol
If you only have a few earwigs causing a nuisance on your property, making a spray solution with alcohol might be your best choice to kill them on sight. Earwigs feature a waxy, strong outer shell that can make them quite challenging to eradicate.
However, alcohol can penetrate their shell and kill them almost instantly. So, add a decent amount of alcohol and water to a spray bottle and spray on earwigs when you spot them in your yard or inside your home.
Make a Trap with Soy Sauce & Oil
Not only light attracts these creatures, but also the smell of soy sauce. Mixing soy sauce and vegetable oil is an effective alternative to using soapy water and light. The soy sauce acts as the attractant to lure earwigs into the container containing vegetable oil, which makes it impossible for them to crawl out.
Any of these quick DIY tips are effective for getting rid of earwigs. But if the results are unsatisfactory, you should consider hiring an earwig control company.
How to Prevent Earwigs
Getting rid of these creatures from your property is the first step and would be ineffective if you don’t put preventative measures to inhibit recurrent incidents. These insects are resilient, and it’s vital that you keep them away from your home and outdoors.
Seal Up Holes
Without openings, it’s nearly impossible for earwigs to access your home. The holes on your window screens, gaps on window sills, and other entry points should be sealed with appropriate material – caulk can be used to seal cracks on the window sills, while a rubber stopper ensures your door’s bottom is tightly sealed. Do not forget to fix any gaps between your flooring and baseboards.
Any Leakage? Fix It
Moisture is another thing that entices earwigs. So, fixing any leaks in your home is paramount before it becomes the perfect breeding ground for pests like earwigs. Usually, it’s the plumbing at fault. Call your plumber to inspect your water connection and fix any drips or leaks to keep roaches, earwigs, rodents, and so on from your home.
Get Rid of Fallen Vegetation
As mentioned, these creatures love to chew on organic materials like twigs and dead leaves in your yard. Leaving them on your property is synonymous with inviting earwigs and other pests to come feast in your yard.
If you don’t want to have an infestation problem on your hand, get rid of the leaf litter and other organic materials.
Conclusion
Getting rid of earwigs should not be challenging using any DIY methods shared in this post. Most importantly, you should be proactive with this pest by trying the preventative measures discussed above.
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