The most effective way to get rid of earwigs is to take away the damp, dark conditions they need, then trap and exclude the rest. Earwigs look menacing with their pincers, but they don’t harm people — they’re a nuisance pest drawn to moisture. Dry out their hiding spots, set simple traps, and seal them out, and the problem fades fast.
Key Takeaways
- Earwigs need moisture — reducing dampness is the most effective control.
- They don’t harm people — the pincers can’t meaningfully hurt you and they’re not venomous.
- Simple traps work — rolled damp newspaper or a shallow oil trap catches lots of them.
- Seal entry points and reduce outdoor lighting, which draws them at night.
- They can damage seedlings — protect tender garden plants if earwigs are feeding on them.
Are earwigs dangerous?
First, the reassuring part: earwigs are essentially harmless to humans. The old myth that they crawl into ears and burrow into your brain is just that — a myth. Their pincers (cerci) look intimidating but can’t break skin in any meaningful way, and they’re not venomous or disease-carrying (UC IPM: Earwigs). They’re a nuisance indoors and an occasional garden pest, nothing more.
Step 1: Take away the moisture
Earwigs are moisture-seekers, so this is the step that actually solves the problem:
- Fix leaks and drips indoors and out, and dry out damp basements and bathrooms with ventilation or a dehumidifier.
- Improve drainage around the foundation so water doesn’t pool.
- Pull mulch, leaf litter, and dense ground cover back from the foundation — these hold the damp earwigs love.
- Move firewood, stones, and debris away from the house, since earwigs shelter underneath.
Step 2: Trap them
Earwigs are easy to trap because they crawl into snug, damp hiding spots by morning:
- Rolled damp newspaper or cardboard: leave it out overnight near activity, then shake the earwigs into soapy water or seal and discard it in the morning.
- Shallow oil trap: a small container of vegetable oil (or oil with a little soy sauce) sunk to ground level attracts and drowns them in the garden.
- Empty these traps daily and reset them until the numbers drop.
Step 3: Seal them out
Stop earwigs from getting indoors:
- Caulk and weatherstrip gaps around doors, windows, and where pipes and utilities enter.
- Repair screens and add door sweeps.
- Reduce bright outdoor lighting near entrances, or switch to yellow “bug” bulbs — bright white light draws earwigs (and the insects they eat) to your doors at night.
Step 4: Protect the garden if needed
Earwigs eat decaying matter but will also chew tender seedlings and soft fruit. If they’re damaging plants, the oil traps above thin them out, and a thin band of diatomaceous earth around vulnerable plants kills them as they cross it (reapply after rain). For a few earwigs wandering indoors, you usually don’t need any treatment beyond trapping and drying things out.
Other moisture-loving invaders respond to the very same fix: if you also see silverfish, drying out the space controls them too.
When to use sprays
For heavy infestations, a perimeter treatment around the foundation and entry points helps — compare options in our guide to earwig sprays, baits, and traps. But lead with moisture control and exclusion; spraying alone, without drying out their habitat, just invites them back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What instantly kills earwigs?
Direct contact with soapy water, rubbing alcohol, or insecticidal spray kills earwigs on the spot, and oil traps drown them overnight. For lasting control, though, you have to reduce the moisture and shelter that draw them — instant kills only handle the ones you see.
Do earwigs hurt you?
No. Earwigs can’t meaningfully pinch through skin, aren’t venomous, and don’t transmit disease. The story about them crawling into ears and brains is a myth. They’re a nuisance pest, not a danger.
Why do I suddenly have earwigs in my house?
They’ve come indoors seeking moisture or shelter, often after hot, dry weather or heavy rain pushes them from the garden. Damp basements, bathrooms, and gaps around doors let them in. Drying out these areas and sealing entry points stops the influx.
What attracts earwigs?
Moisture and darkness above all — damp mulch, leaf litter, woodpiles, and humid indoor spaces. Bright outdoor lighting also draws them at night. Remove the dampness and dial back the lighting, and earwigs lose their reason to gather.