Sunday, April 28, 2024

Earwigs: How to Get Rid of Earwigs or "Pincher Bugs" The Old Farmer's Almanac

how to get rid of earwigs in the house

One thing bees hate is vinegar, which makes it a good, safe alternative to store-bought or professional-grade chemical deterrents. Consider filling an empty spray bottle with a homemade vinegar solution of equal parts water and vinegar for an instant bee deterrent. Spray this in areas where you frequently see the flying insects to keep them away. Earwigs are unusual among insects in that the female fusses over her eggs and nymphs, and uses her pincers to protect them. Overwintering adult earwigs lay clusters of round, white eggs in the soil in late winter; larvae, which resemble adult earwigs, hatch in spring.

Use a Pesticide

Integrated pest management combines strategies to solve insect problems, combining insecticides, traps, and sanitation procedures. Effective pest control requires persistence and continued efforts to remove earwigs effectively. Consider an all-natural control method or a professional pest control service. You can target earwigs by sprinkling diatomaceous earth or boric acid around their entry points into the house or hiding spots.

What Does an Earwig Infestation Look Like?

They are capable of pinching (and sometimes biting) humans, but the pinch is not particularly powerful. Earwigs usually use their pincers to ward off enemies like toads and birds, or—in some species—to catch prey. Protect the tree trunk by wrapping it in plastic wrap, and smear a line of petroleum jelly about two inches wide around the tree. Traps can help reduce the number of earwigs present around your home. Consider using a nightlight to boost trap effectiveness since light entices these bugs at night. After analyzing dozens of residential and commercial pest control businesses through this process, we were able to determine the best pest control companies on the market.

How to Make an Earwig Trap for Your Vegetable Garden

We also secret shop the companies we review, reach out to representatives, and request quotes. When using insecticides, it is crucial to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding application, timing, and safety precautions. Always use protective gear, such as gloves and masks, when applying these products. Keep children and pets away from treated areas until the recommended waiting period has passed. Earwigs love damp conditions, so always deal with any leaks in your home to prevent them getting too comfortable. You can use our guide to how to deal with a water leak or call in a plumber for bigger jobs.

You can attract and encourage this fly in your garden by planting alyssum, calendula, dill, and fennel. Earwigs are also attracted to lights, so eliminate or reduce lighting around the foundation. Another option is to simply place a light-colored cloth beneath an infested plant and shake or tap the branches. The earwigs should fall onto the cloth and can then be disposed of.

While they do not cause any harm or destruction, earwigs may produce a noticeable foul odor from their abdomen as a self-defense mechanism if they are disturbed. The pincers can break your skin, resulting in a small amount of bleeding. There is no evidence that earwigs seek out human ears to cause harm. When an earwig is found in a person's ear, it is likely that the earwig wanders there by chance.

how to get rid of earwigs in the house

The insects feel very comfortable in the narrow spaces between the folds of laundry. They also tend to make themselves comfortable in beds, since they are often slightly damp, nicely warm and dark between the sheets. Moreover, this article clarifies whether earwigs are useful or dangerous. Earwigs love to make their home in these types of organic materials, as well as other dark, damp, confined hiding places like compost piles and wood piles. Try to store all of these items as far from the garden as possible to limit the number of places earwigs can get into. It is very common to remove the vegetation cover and see dozens of earwigs scurrying about to find hiding places.

Where Do Earwigs Like to Hide?

Earwig Insect Facts - AZ Animals

Earwig Insect Facts.

Posted: Wed, 12 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Spray the soapy water on any plants in the yard where earwigs are spotted. You can create an earwig trap to mimic their natural habitat by placing a cardboard tube or a rolled-up magazine around the affected area. Earwigs will seek cover from the weather and crawl inside the “shelter”. Then, simply remove your trap and tip the earwigs into some soapy water.

Once you’ve earwig-proofed the area as much as possible, you can use common household materials to make your plants less appetizing. Mix a solution of water and a few drops of gentle dish soap, put it in a spray bottle, and spray the leaves of your plants. You can also wipe down leaves with this soapy water, making them taste unpleasant to the earwigs.

Since earwigs are not fussy eaters, why not lure them into a sweet, soy sauce trap? Simply, take a small plastic container and mix equal parts vegetable oil and soy sauce inside. Then create holes in the lid that are about 0.25 inches in diameter before covering the plastic container. One effective, non-toxic repellent is a homemade, soapy solution spray. Simply add a few drops of dish soap to warm water in a spray bottle. Shake the solution until it’s soapy, before spraying any areas/corners around the home and yard where you've spotted pesky earwigs.

You might find earwigs repulsive, but they are delectable to birds. Add a birdhouse or birdbath to your garden and the resulting birds will be treated to an earwig buffet. Bugs love the blue wavelength that standard light bulbs emit, but sodium lights are more yellow.

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