The most important part of controlling earwigs is eliminating their hiding places. If earwig harborages are not addressed, insecticide application will probably not work.
What is an Earwig?
There are more than 20 species of earwig in the United States but only 4-5 will invade your home. The European earwig is the most prevalent earwig species in Pennsylvania. If you see earwigs in your home or on your property, they’re most likely European earwigs.
Full-grown European earwigs are 5/8″ long and reddish-brown in color.
Why Are Earwigs in My Home?
Earwigs move into homes to find food or when the weather changes. They usually move indoors seeking shelter or wander inside through open doors.
Earwigs prefer cool, damp areas and may enter a home during extended dry periods.
You might find earwigs in areas where there is water – kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. Earwigs can also find their way into bedrooms and family rooms.
Eagwigs can appear in almost any part of the house, but infestations are rare.
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What Can I Do To Avoid Getting Earwigs in My Home?
Eliminate their hiding places. Earwigs like to hide in damp, shaded areas.
Here are a few tips to consider:
- Clean Up: Move landscape timbers, logs, decorative stones, and firewood piles away from your home’s foundation.
- Eliminate Moist Soil: Create a zone next to the foundation that is free of mulch, dead leaves, and other organic material. The “dry zone” should be 6″ to 12″ wide so that earwigs will avoid it.
- Trim Overhanging Branches: Trim trees and shrubs that cause damp, shady areas near the house.
- Check Drainage Around Your Home: Make sure rain water is draining away from the foundation. Set irrigation systems so that they water in the morning and allow the landscape to dry during the day.
- Switch Up Exterior Lighting: Adjust outdoor lights to shine from the yard onto the house and deter insects. If moving outside light fixtures is not practical, consider changing to yellow light bulbs. White lights are more attractive to insects.
- Secure Possible Entry Points: Repair screens on crawl space vents and make sure the vents are not blocked.
- Dry Out Moisture-Prone Areas: A dehumidifier might help in a damp basement.