What Kills Earwigs

If you’re finding earwigs in your garden or home, you’re likely wondering what kills earwigs quickly and safely. These pincer-tailed insects can damage seedlings and flowers, but you don’t need harsh chemicals to control them. Let’s look at the most effective natural methods to reduce their numbers and protect your plants.

Earwigs are mostly nocturnal and are attracted to dark, damp places. While they do eat some pests like aphids, their feeding habits can leave your leaves looking ragged and full of holes. The good news is that many highly effective solutions are simple, inexpensive, and use items you probably already have at home.

This section covers the direct, physical methods that eliminate earwigs on contact or trap them. These are your first line of defense for immediate results.

Soap and Water Spray

A simple soapy water solution is a fast-acting contact killer. It breaks down the earwig’s protective waxy coating, causing them to dehydrate.

Mix 1 tablespoon of pure liquid castile soap or dish soap with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle.
Shake gently to mix. Spray directly onto earwigs you see on plants, patios, or door frames.
This works on contact, so thorough coverage is key. It’s safe for plants but best applied in the early morning or evening.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder made from fossilized algae. It’s sharp on a microscopic level, piercing an earwig’s exoskeleton and drying it out.

Use food-grade DE for safety in gardens.
Lightly dust a thin layer around plant bases, along garden borders, and in doorways where earwigs travel.
The powder must be dry to work, so reapply after rain or watering. It’s harmless to pets and people when used as directed.

Rubbing Alcohol Spray

Isopropyl alcohol is an effective desiccant and kills earwigs quickly. It’s great for spot treatments.

Combine equal parts 70% isopropyl alcohol and water in a small spray bottle.
Test on a small part of a plant leaf first to check for damage. Wait 24 hours.
Spray directly on earwigs. This method is best for severe, localized infestations on non-sensitive plants.

Trapping and Disposal Methods

Traps don’t kill instantly but are superb for reducing large populations overnight.

Newspaper Roll Trap: Loosely roll up damp newspaper. Place the rolls in garden beds near damage in the evening. In the morning, shake the trapped earwigs into a bucket of soapy water.
Oil Trap: Bury a small container (like a tuna can) up to its rim in the soil. Fill it with a half-inch of vegetable oil with a dash of soy sauce or fish oil for scent. Earwigs will fall in and drown.
Short Board Trap: Lay a flat board or piece of cardboard on bare soil. Earwigs will congregate underneath it for shelter during the day. Lift it up each afternoon and dispose of the pests.

Creating an Unfriendly Environment

Making your garden less inviting is a crucial long-term strategy. Earwigs thrive in moisture and clutter.

Remove hiding spots like leaf piles, excess mulch, boards, and debris near garden beds.
Fix leaky faucets and ensure downspouts direct water away from your home’s foundation.
Allow soil to dry out somewhat between waterings. Water plants in the morning instead of the evening.
Prune low-hanging branches and dense ground cover to improve air circulation and reduce dampness.

Natural Predators and Barriers

Encourage nature’s pest control and create physical blocks to protect your most valuable plants.

Attract birds by putting up birdhouses and a birdbath. Birds eat a significant number of earwigs.
Create a dry, bare-soil barrier around raised beds or prized plants. Earwigs are less likely to cross a wide, dry area.
Apply a sticky barrier, like Tanglefoot, around the trunks of trees or the stems of large plants to prevent climbing.

Protecting Your Home from Invasion

Earwigs often enter homes by accident seeking shelter, especially during dry or cold periods.

Seal cracks and gaps in foundations, around windows, and where utility pipes enter with caulk.
Ensure door sweeps are tight and weatherstripping is in good condition.
Keep mulch and landscaping several inches away from your home’s siding.
Reduce outdoor lighting near doors, as lights attract the insects earwigs prey on, drawing them in.

Targeting Earwig Nests and Harborage

To make a lasting impact, you need to find and eliminate their daytime hiding spots.

Search in damp, dark areas. Check under potted plants, within compost piles, under dense ivy, and in the crevices of rock walls. Pour a soapy water solution directly into any crevices or holes where you see large numbers gathering. This can flush out and kill many at once. Turning your compost pile regularly disturbs nesting sites and exposes eggs to heat and predators.

Using Beneficial Nematodes

For a biological soil drench, beneficial nematodes are microscopic worms that parasitize and kill earwig larvae in the soil.

Purchase nematodes (Steinernema species) from a garden supply store or online.
Mix them with water according to the package directions, which is usually very specific.
Apply the solution to damp soil in the evening, as sunlight can harm nematodes. They are completely safe for plants, pets, and earthworms.

Essential Oil Repellents

Certain strong scents can deter earwigs from entering specific areas. These are repellents, not killers.

Mix 10-15 drops of essential oil like peppermint, citrus, or lavender with water and a little dish soap in a spray bottle.
Shake well and spray around door thresholds, window sills, and the perimeter of garden beds.
Reapply frequently, especially after rain. The scent needs to remain strong to be effective.

When to Take Action and When to Relax

Not every earwig sighting requires a full-scale intervention. Consider their actual damage.

If you only see a few earwigs and plant damage is minimal, they might be doing more good than harm by eating aphids. Seedlings and young plants are most vulnerable. Focus your protective efforts here. Mature, healthy plants can often tolerate a bit of earwig feeding without significant harm. A balanced garden has both predators and prey; complete eradication is neither possible nor desirable.

FAQ: Common Questions About Earwig Control

What is the fastest natural way to kill earwigs?

Direct spraying with a soapy water solution is the quickest natural method. It kills on contact and requires no special ingredients.

Does vinegar kill earwigs?

Yes, a strong vinegar solution (like equal parts white vinegar and water) can kill earwigs on contact due to its acetic acid content. However, it can also harm plants, so use it as a spot treatment on non-plant surfaces only.

What smells do earwigs hate?

Earwigs are repelled by strong scents like peppermint, citrus, lavender, and cedar. Using oils or making a spray with these scents can deter them from entering specific areas.

How do I get rid of earwigs in my house naturally?

Focus on exclusion and traps. Seal entry points, reduce outdoor lighting, and use the newspaper roll or oil traps indoors in basements or garages. Vacuum up any you see and empty the vacuum bag immediately.

Are earwigs actually harmful to my garden?

They can be, especially to seedlings, soft fruits, and flowers like dahlias and marigolds. But they are also omnivores and will eat other insects, including pests. Tolerance is key unless their population gets to high.

Controlling earwigs naturally requires a mix of immediate action and long-term habitat change. By combining direct killers like soap spray and diatomaceous earth with effective trapping and making your garden less damp and cluttered, you can manage their population successfully. Start with the simplest methods and be persistent. Often, a few weeks of consistent trapping and environmental tweaks makes a dramatic difference, allowing you to enjoy your garden without sharing to much with these nocturnal visitors.