How To Get Rid Of European Earwigs

European earwigs (Forficula auricularia) can become a nuisance when they invade homes or businesses, especially in damp areas like basements, bathrooms, or around foundation cracks. While our professional pest control is often the most effective approach, there are several steps a homeowner or business owner can take to reduce or eliminate populations of these earwigs on their own:

Remove Favorable Habitats

Earwigs thrive in moist, dark environments. Reducing these areas is the first step:

Outdoor: Remove mulch, leaf litter, grass clippings, or piles of wood and debris near the building. Keep garden plants trimmed away from the foundation to reduce humidity and shelter. Repair leaking faucets, irrigation systems, or downspouts to reduce moisture.
Indoor: Use a dehumidifier in basements or damp areas. Fix leaks around sinks, pipes, and bathrooms. Ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms, basements, and crawl spaces.

Seal Entry Points

Earwigs can enter through cracks and gaps in walls, doors, and windows:

Caulk or seal cracks around windows, doors, and the foundation.
Install door sweeps and weather stripping.
Check vents and screens for holes or tears and repair as needed.

Use Traps

Traps are an effective, non-toxic way to capture earwigs:

DIY Rolled Towel Trap: Moisten a newspaper or cloth, roll it up, and place it where earwigs are active at night. In the morning, check the trap and dispose of the earwigs in soapy water.
Commercial Sticky Traps: Place sticky traps near baseboards, window sills, or along the foundation to catch roaming earwigs.

Outdoor Insecticide (Optional)

If infestations are heavy, a targeted outdoor insecticide can help:

Focus on the perimeter of the building, especially around doors, windows, and foundation cracks.
Use products labeled for earwigs, such as pyrethroid-based sprays, following the label instructions.
Avoid over-spraying landscaping plants; targeted application is safer and more effective.

Indoor Insecticide (Limited Use)

For indoor infestations:

Apply diatomaceous earth in cracks, crevices, or under baseboards. This is non-toxic to humans and pets but damages the exoskeleton of earwigs.
Sticky traps can reduce populations indoors.
Indoor chemical sprays are usually not recommended unless the infestation is severe, as earwigs are mainly outdoor pests.

Regular Monitoring and Maintenance

Inspect and clean traps regularly.
Maintain dry, well-ventilated conditions indoors.
Keep the perimeter of the building free of debris and standing water.
Repeat treatments during peak earwig season (spring and fall).

The best DIY approach combines habitat reduction, sealing entry points, moisture control, and trapping. Chemical treatment should be a last resort or used as a perimeter barrier. Persistence is key, as earwigs can reproduce quickly if favorable conditions persist.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of European Earwigs

Our professional pest control is generally the most effective way to eliminate European earwigs because these insects are persistent, prolific, and difficult to manage with DIY methods alone. Here’s why hiring our professionals is the best choice:

Expert Identification

Earwigs are often mistaken for other insects. Our professionals can accurately identify European earwigs versus native earwig species or other pests, ensuring the treatment is targeted and effective.
Misidentification can lead to ineffective control methods, wasted time, and recurring infestations.

Comprehensive Inspection

Our pest control professionals don’t just treat the visible insects—we conduct a full inspection to locate nesting sites and potential entry points.
Earwigs hide in moist, dark areas like under mulch, rocks, foundation cracks, crawl spaces, basements, and inside wall voids. Our professionals know exactly where to look, both indoors and outdoors.

Targeted and Safe Treatments

Our professionals have access to commercial-grade insecticides and treatment tools that are more effective than over-the-counter sprays.
We apply treatments strategically, targeting areas where earwigs breed and feed, reducing chemical use and minimizing risk to humans, pets, and plants.
Some treatments include perimeter barriers, which prevent earwigs from entering the property in the future.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approach

Our professionals don’t just kill the current population—we implement long-term prevention strategies such as moisture control recommendations, structural modifications and sealing of entry points, and landscape adjustments to reduce harborage areas.
This holistic approach drastically reduces the chance of reinfestation, something most DIY efforts fail to achieve.

Efficiency and Time-Saving

Earwigs are nocturnal and often reproduce quickly. DIY methods like traps and caulking take time and constant monitoring.
Our professionals can resolve infestations faster and more effectively, saving property owners hours of trial-and-error and reducing the risk of ongoing damage or nuisance.

Peace of Mind and Guarantees

We provide ongoing inspections, treatments and a re-treatment warranty, ensuring the infestation is completely eradicated.
DIY treatments offer no guarantee, and a missed nest or entry point can lead to repeated infestations.

While homeowners can reduce earwig populations with moisture control, traps, and sealing, our professional pest control combines accurate identification, targeted treatments, and long-term prevention strategies to eliminate infestations efficiently and safely. This is particularly important for businesses or high-value properties where repeated infestations could affect operations, safety, or reputation.

Get Rid Of European Earwigs With Miche Pest Control

Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:

Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.

Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!