How to Get Rid of Earwigs in House Plants and Prevent Them

Earwigs in house plants can be a nuisance, but the good news is that they're relatively easy to get rid of.

Earwigs are attracted to moisture, so it's no surprise they thrive in humid environments like greenhouses and indoor gardens.

To prevent earwigs from taking up residence in your house plants, make sure to repot them in well-draining soil to reduce moisture levels.

Regularly inspect your plants for signs of earwig infestation, such as small, light-colored eggs or live earwigs.

Earwigs are small, slender insects that resemble cockroaches or beetles, with long, segmented abdomens and distinct rear-mounted pincers. They typically grow to about 1/2 inch in length.

Earwigs are attracted to compact, moist environments that offer shelter and protect them from drying out in the sun during daylight hours. These environments can be found in homes across North America, where earwigs have spread from Europe via imports and exports.

To identify the source of earwig infestation, look for consistently moist areas in your home and check for accumulations of organic materials such as compost piles, mulch, dead leaves, and manure. These are the perfect spots for earwigs to hide and feed.

Here are some common places to check for earwigs in your home:

Earwigs are small, slender insects that are commonly found in homes across North America. They are typically about 1/2 inch in length.

Their bodies are flat and elongated, with six legs and two antennae, making them resemble other insects like cockroaches or beetles.

The most recognizable feature of earwigs is their large, curved forceps on the abdomen, also known as pincers. These pincers may look threatening, but they are harmless.

Earwigs originated in Europe but are now found worldwide, except in Antarctica. They've spread through imports and exports.

Earwigs are attracted to compact, moist environments that provide shelter and protect them from drying out. These environments can be found in various parts of your home.

Consistently finding earwigs in a particular area of your home is a sign of a moisture issue. Earwigs can float in water for up to 24 hours, which is why they're not easily drowned.

Earwigs eat various food sources, but they prefer to eat rotting organic matter, fresh plants, plant debris, and insects. They'll even eat dead and alive insects.

Accumulations of organic materials like compost piles, mulch, dead leaves, and manure are perfect spots for earwigs to hide and feed. These piles should be kept away from your house.

Some earwig species will attempt to come inside homes in large numbers during the fall months. This is because insects are naturally looking for places to overwinter during this time.

If your home has a history of attracting earwigs in the fall, it's essential to remove or address conditions that may attract them.

Earwigs are most likely to be found in moist, dark areas, such as in the damp soil of indoor houseplants, under wet rugs and carpets, and in the baseboards of your bathroom and kitchen.

You can spot them at night with a flashlight, as they're nocturnal.

Earwigs release a foul excrement-like odor when disturbed.

Here are some signs of an earwig infestation:

Seal any cracks or crevices in your home to prevent earwigs from invading. Gaps in doors and foundations are prime entry points for these unwanted pests.

Repair screens to prevent earwigs from squeezing through. Leaks and vents are also places where earwigs can enter your home.

Before bringing bouquets of flowers into your home, check them thoroughly for any earwigs hiding in the blooms.

Earwigs are attracted to your home for various reasons. They're nocturnal insects, so they're most active at night and drawn to light, which is why porch lights may draw them to your home.

Their preference for dark, moist areas like wood piles, boxes, or newspapers can lead them indoors by accident. If you find earwigs in a specific area, it may indicate a moisture issue in your home.

Earwigs seek food sources like rotting organic matter, fresh plants, plant debris, and insects. Compost piles, mulch, dead leaves, and manure near your home can attract them.

During the fall, earwigs may try to enter homes in search of warmth as they prepare to overwinter.

Seal any cracks or crevices to prevent earwigs from invading your home. Gaps in doors and foundations are particularly vulnerable entry points.

Earwigs can squeeze through tiny openings, so don't underestimate the importance of sealing these gaps. Check your doors and foundations carefully to ensure they're well-sealed.

Leaks and vents are also common entry points for earwigs. Make sure to repair any leaks and consider installing vent screens to keep these unwanted critters out.

Screen over weep holes to prevent earwigs from entering through this common entry point. Weep holes are small openings in walls that allow water to escape, but they can also let earwigs in.

Encourage Natural Predators to take care of earwigs for you. Toads and frogs are a great place to start, as they love to munch on earwigs.

Birds are another natural predator that can help control earwig populations. By putting up bird feeders, you can attract these feathered friends to your yard.

Larger insects are also on the lookout for earwigs. By creating a welcoming environment for these beneficial bugs, you can encourage them to stick around and help keep earwigs in check.

Earwigs don't like a variety of scents, so you can find one that you like and use it to keep them away.

You can plant herbs around your home or create sachets of herbaceous scents that earwigs don't like, such as anise, basil, lavender, rosemary, dill, fennel, cinnamon, eucalyptus, cayenne, garlic, citrus, cosmos or tansy flowers.

Place scented sachets or cotton balls scented with essential oils in areas where you see earwigs.

Some earwig-repelling scents include lavender, eucalyptus, basil, cinnamon, and rosemary.

If you have pets, be aware that some scents are toxic to animals, so keep them away from those areas.

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You can set traps to 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.

One of the easiest traps to use is a magazine or a rolled-up piece of cardboard. Set this out and encourage the earwigs to hide in it. In the morning, pick up your trap and shake the earwigs out into a bucket of soapy water.

To keep earwigs away from your plants, make a terra cotta pot trap filled with straw, turned upside down, and placed above your plants. As nocturnal insects, earwigs will search out the flowerpot as a hiding spot in the morning. Empty the trapped insects in soapy water to get rid of them.

You can also use a sticky glue trap, sprinkling a few drops of fish oil on the trap as an attractant. Alternatively, pour a small amount of vegetable or fish oil into a shallow dish or overturned jar lid, and leave the trap where you've seen earwigs.

Setting a trap can be an effective way to reduce the number of earwigs present around your home. You can use a variety of traps to capture these pesky insects.

One of the easiest traps to use is a magazine roll trap. Simply set it out and encourage the earwigs to hide in it. In the morning, pick up your trap and shake the earwigs out into a bucket of soapy water.

A sticky glue trap can also be used to capture earwigs. Consider sprinkling a few drops of fish oil on the trap as an attractant. This will help lure the earwigs into the trap.

If you have plants that are being bothered by earwigs, try using a terra cotta pot trap. Fill the pot with straw, turn it upside down, and place it above your plants. As nocturnal insects, earwigs will search out the flowerpot as a hiding spot in the morning.

You can also use granular insect baits or pour a small amount of vegetable or fish oil into a shallow dish or overturned jar lid. Leave the trap where you've seen earwigs, such as in cabinets or dark corners. The scent will attract the earwigs, and they'll drown in the oil.

Here are some common traps you can use to get rid of earwigs:

To get rid of earwigs, you can make a DIY bug spray using common household ingredients. A solution of 70 percent rubbing alcohol and water is effective in killing earwigs.

You can also try using a dish soap and water solution, which is great for spraying areas where earwigs tend to hang out.

A mixture of water and white distilled vinegar is another scent that earwigs don't like, and it's a great way to effectively clean the area.

Spritzing these solutions around the house will help keep earwigs at bay, and you can make them as needed.

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Earwigs are attracted to certain types of plants, so it's essential to identify which ones they prefer.

Ferns, peace lilies, and English ivy are popular plants that earwigs often infest.

Earwigs are drawn to the moisture and humidity that these plants provide, making them ideal breeding grounds.

Some plants, like succulents and cacti, are less likely to be infested with earwigs because they have thick, waxy leaves that prevent moisture from accumulating.

English ivy, in particular, is a favorite among earwigs due to its ability to retain moisture.

By replacing infested plants with earwig-resistant ones, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of an earwig infestation in your home.