So, you have earwigs in your home or garden. And they’re freaking you out.
In this complete DIY tutorial, we’ll talk about:
- How to identify earwig damage
- Ways to naturally get rid of earwigs using DIY remedies
- How to keep them out of your yard
- How to exterminate them from your bedroom, basement, bathroom, and kitchen
- Proven methods to keep them out of your home
- And more
This pest control guide happens to be nearly 6000 words in length, so yeah, it’s pretty long. You can skip around or get your favorite drink and sit down.
By the end of it, you’ll have everything you’ll need to know to manage and control pincher bugs.
Feel free to bookmark it so you can easily find it again later.
And if you have any questions, ask me by leaving a comment!
Sound good? Let’s get rid of your pincher bug problem!
Last updated: 12/30/19.
Sections
What’s an earwig?

An earwig is that scary bug where legends say crawl into the ear while you sleep and burrow into your brain to lay eggs.
This is folklore and simply not true. While they can crawl into your ear while you sleep, they don’t burrow into your brain.
However, it’s interesting to note that this is where the name comes from. Earwig literally means “ear-wiggler” which comes from European origins.
They’re mostly known for their large pincers (yes, it’s spelled like that) on their rear end that they use to pinch people.
They do pinch, and while harmless, they can still give you quite a scare because they’re fast and agile. They can even fly!
Nowadays, they’re a common pest, especially in the southwestern US.
The “spine-tailed earwig” is the most common household pincher bug that we see today. If you’re trying to get rid of them from your home or yard, this is probably the one you’re dealing with.
Other names for earwigs:
- Pincher bugs
- Pinching bugs
- Ear wiggler
Earwig lifecycle
Earwigs undergo incomplete metamorphosis through 4-6 molts.
The male and female pair will mate during the autumn and remain together until the winter.
They build a nest for overwintering before the cold season arrives and spend their time in an underground chamber for warmth during the winter. It’s about 2.5cm below the soil and usually made from debris or natural crevices.
Earwig eggs
After mating, the female lays anywhere from 20-80 eggs which are shiny and white. The eggs are only laid after the female drives out the male, which occurs in winter or early spring. Some earwigs give birth to live young, but the majority will lay eggs.
Hatching time
The female will care for the young and protect them and will not leave the clutch of eggs. She’ll also clean the eggs from bacteria and keep them warm. The eggs hatch after 7 days and the nymphs will under a series of molts.
Time until adulthood
The nymphs appear exactly the same as the adults, but smaller in size.
Each molt will make them slightly bigger. The female protects them until their second molt.
The young feed on food provided by the female.
After all the molts are completed (6 instars) the nymphs turn into adults and state to display sexual dimorphism. They emerge from the soil as adults in spring to summer (May to June) depending on the species.
What do earwigs look like?

Earwigs have an easy to identify body structure. They’re dark brown to orangish bugs that measure 1.97 in length.
The easiest and most obvious body appendage are the large pincers (“pinchers” or cerci) at the tail end. They have 6 legs that are lighter in color and a striated body with a shiny shell.
Their exoskeleton is hard and they can move very quickly.
Earwigs can also fly, but they only do it when endangered. They have two pairs of wings that can unfold on their backs.
They have forewings and hindwings coated with leathery plates. The forceps pincers on their rear-end are used to capture prey and defend themselves when provoked.
They’re also used to attract a mate, as both sexes exhibit dimorphism in the shape of the pitchers and length.
Nymphs look exactly like adult pincher bugs, but just smaller in size.
After each molt, the baby earwigs get larger and larger until they reach about ¾” and get to their adult size. This takes 10 weeks to reach maturity.
Are earwigs the same as pincher bugs?
Yes. earwigs and pincher bugs are the same pest. The proper name is an earwig, but pincher bug comes from the large clasping tusks they have at their rear end.
They have the ability to physically pinch with these pincers, but rarely actually use them.
They’re called cerci or pincers and are actually used to attract mates. Males with long and curved cerci attract females who have short and straight ones.
When threatened, earwigs will use them to pinch. This mostly happens when you pick one up or have one crawl onto you by accident.
They also use their cerci to pinch birds who may have them clasped in their feet. Pincher bugs will also use their pincers to catch prey and kill their next meal.
Where did Earwigs come from?
Earwigs are found all over the Americans, Asia, and Europe. There are over 2000 species that all range in color, morph, and habitat.
They’re also slightly different in characteristics depending on where they’re found. The first common earwig was found in North America in 1907 and was thought to have originated from Europe. Earwigs are more common in the southern states of the US.
The common household earwig you see is called the spine-tailed earwig and extends from the southern US to Canada.
Signs of earwig damage

There are some easy identifiers to tell if you have an earwig infestation. The majority of pincher bug damage occurs on leaves outside.
Remember, if you have earwigs inside your home, they came from your outside garden. That means you should get rid of them outside in your yard first if you want to prevent them from coming into your house.
So the plan starts outdoors. In the yard.
Here are some ways to identify earwig damage:
Inspect your plants
If they have a bunch of holes that are non-uniform in shape, this is a sign of pincher bugs in your yard.
The holes will be in various shapes, from ovular to circular. You’ll also notice the holes seemingly pop out overnight, as this is when earwigs are active.
So if you wake up the next day and see a bunch of holes in your plants, this is earwig activity.
Check for earwig poop
The plants may also be partially eaten with black earwig poop all over them. If you look under the pot that the plant is in, there may be earwigs hiding under there- this applies to only potted plants.
Be careful when lifting the pot, as earwigs will pinch if threatened.
After rains
When it rains, pincher bugs will crawl up on plants and hide in the leaves since they hate the water.
They’ll eat the leaves and hide there while they wait out in the rain. If you notice a lot of plant damage after heavy rain, this may be because of these pests.
Are earwigs dangerous?
Earwigs have a really bad rep.
They’re not as dangerous as the legend tells where they climb into the ears of sleeping people and laying their eggs in their brains. This is a fake story that’s just ridiculous.
Earwigs are often misunderstood and are actually harmless towards humans. Mostly.
They’ll use their pair of pincers and pinch if provoked, but even then, the pinch barely does any damage. They also don’t inject venom and are not poisonous. Nor do they transmit any diseases.
Earwig also don’t bite humans. They can only pinch.
Do earwigs really go in your ear?
That’s just a folklore tale. They can, especially when you’re sleeping. But the chances of that happening are rare and they don’t’ really burrow into your head and lay eggs in your brain. That’s all hogwash.
Why are there so many earwigs in my house?

The main reason why you have so many of them in your home is because of moisture.
Earwigs molt through several instars and need moisture in the air for their exoskeletons to molt. They need humidity levels of 60% or more. When you see them in your home, they’re likely inhabiting because your basement, bathroom, or kitchen has moisture levels that they need to survive.
They may also have a steady food source of bugs or houseplants inside your house.
And they may be hiding from harsh weather conditions outdoors.
Sometimes when it’s extremely cold or hot outdoors, they may have gotten access to your home through a damaged window screening or foundation crack. It could also be that mating season has ended and the nymphs are now emerging as adults.
This usually happens around May-June and you may see a lot of pincher bugs all show up out of nowhere.
What are earwigs attracted to?
Earwigs are attracted to moisture, food, and shelter in your house.
They don’t normally take residence with humans, but if there are subpar conditions outside, they may find their way through your window or door.
Why do I have earwigs in my bed?
Earwigs may be seeking out food and just happened to find their way into your bed.
They don’t go into beds intentionally and aren’t attracted to beds.
But if you have a lot of earwigs in your bed, this may be because you have an infestation of them. If they appeared out of nowhere, it could be due to the emergence of them after they reached adulthood outdoors. To get rid of them from your bed, you should practice basic maintenance.
Clean your sheets, get rid of the junk in your room, apply essential oils (peppermint or cinnamon), set up homemade earwig traps, and sprinkle borax around the perimeter. We cover all of this later.
What do earwigs eat?

Pincher bugs eat both plants and bugs. They are omnivores and will eat whatever they can find.
For earwigs outdoors, they naturally eat plant materials such as leaf litter, decaying plant debris, or dead animals.
When you find them in your home, they’ll eat anything from houseplants, aphids, small bugs, larvae, ants, armyworms, maggots, and even grubs.
They’ll also eat your fruits and veggies whether you grow them inside or outside your home.
In nature, earwigs eat any of the following:
- Vegetable plants
- Fruit trees
- Flowers
- Lettuce
- Celery
- Fruits
- Ornamental plants
- Dahlias
- Zinnias
- Hollyhocks
- Strabetteris
- Potatoes
- Roses
- Beans
- Beets
- Sweet corn
- Butterfly bush
- Shasta daisies
Earwigs prey on snow-moving species:
- Aphids
- Larvae
- Bug eggs
- Ants
- Slugs
- Snails
Where do earwigs hide?
They hide outdoors usually under potted plants, rocks, or leaf litter. They rarely come out during the day and are active at night.
Earwigs are nocturnal bugs so they’re most active during the night when it’s dark outside. They come out to eat and prey on smaller bugs. For pincher bugs inside your home, the same holds true.
They hide during the day time hours as they don’t like bright lights and will hide under furniture, within crevices or boxes, behind storage items, or even under your bed!
Anything that provides them a dark area to nest will be sufficient. This means things like under couches, sofas, TV stands, and more.
They also hide within crates, boxes, basements, attics, outhouses, sheds, bathrooms, and garages. You may also find them in your kitchen pantry, cabinets, and drawers as these are all dark areas.
Where do earwigs lay eggs?
Adult female earwigs lay eggs deep in tunnels under the soil. They dig out small tunnels underground to establish a safe and dark nest to lay eggs.
Each female can lay up to 50 eggs at once. Each egg contains an unborn earwig nymph, which is protected by a hard, shiny eggshell.
The earwigs incubate and are born after 7 days. This allows earwigs to rapidly multiply. And this is exactly why pincher bugs reproduce so quickly and why you have so many of them.
What months do Earwigs come out?
Earwigs are most active during the warmer months. The nymphs emerge during the spring and come out from May to June.
During these months, you may see a lot of earwigs in your home or garden. This is normal because they all hatch and come out as adults around the same time.
How long does earwig season last?
Earwigs are active from May until temperature drops in the winter. They’ll burrow into the ground during the colder season to overwinter.
During the fall, they build nests for the winter. When winter finally comes, they hide in their nest and raise their young. The nymphs emerge during the spring to summer months.
Do earwigs carry disease?
There is no reported evidence that earwigs carry or transmit diseases to humans or animals.
Even though they have a pair of pincers, they don’t inject any venom or poison. The pinch from them causes minimal damage or harm to humans and are only used when they’re threatened.
Do earwigs make a sound?
Earwigs don’t make any sounds. They’re extremely light and fast, but don’t emit any matching calls or sounds at night. These are silent pests.
How to get rid of pincher bugs naturally

Here are some home remedies you can use to get rid of earwigs in the house naturally.
Remember to use a combination of them rather than just one, as no two earwig problems are the same. What works for you may not work for others.
So try a few of these remedies out and see what’s most effective for your home.
Rubbing alcohol
You can use rubbing alcohol to kill earwigs upon contact.
The alcohol pierces the bug’s exoskeleton and destroys the layer of wax that normally repels water. You can use any isopropyl alcohol and add it to a spray bottle.
There’s no need to dilute it. Just pour the alcohol directly into a small sprayer and use it to spray pincher bugs when you see one. It’ll kill the pest immediately in just a few seconds.
Many store-brands come in a handy spray bottle. If you need to go out to buy a bottle, get the one that already comes with a sprayer to save yourself time.
Rubbing alcohol doesn’t work that well as a repellent for earwigs because it evaporates quickly. You should only use it as a pesticide rather than a deterrent. It also works well against cockroaches, brown recluse spiders, and silverfish.
Vegetable oil trap
Earwigs can’t swim that well, and you can exploit it by using vegetable oil. You can make your own oil trap at home with a few simple pantry additives.
The trap kills pincher bugs by itself over time, so you don’t need to do anything else after you set it up. And it’s quite effective.
Here’s how to make a DIY earwig trap.
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 1 plastic cup with a lid
- Pair of scissors
- ½ cup soy sauce
How to make the trap:
- Add the soy sauce and vegetable oil together into the cup.
- Take the scissors are carefully pierce holes into the cup lid. The holes should be big enough for the earwigs to crawl through.
- Place the lid on the cup.
- Place the cup where you see earwig activity. Do this digging up a hole in the soil and placing the cup into the dirt.
- Fill the surrounding edges of the lid so it lines up at surface level with the surrounding soil. The lid should be flush so that earwigs can easily walk into the trap.
How the trap works:
- Over time, the pincher bugs will smell the soy sauce and will be lured into the holes on the lid.
- The lid will let them through and fall into the cup.
- Because of the oil, they can’t swim back out and will be stuck in the cup until they’re killed.
- You can make multiple traps and place them around the garden for more control over the bugs.
- Replace the traps every month as the soy sauce becomes ineffective over time.
- This will kill earwigs and you don’t have to do anything.
Use borax or boric acid
Borax will slowly kill any earwigs that walk over it because of the unique crystalline structure of the powder. It can pierce their exoskeleton and can kill them if they waddle through enough of it.
However, most earwigs will actually avoid walking on borax or boric acid because they know this powder can be harmful to them.
So you can actually use this to your benefit by sprinkling a line of borax where you want to keep pincher bugs out. This means you can line the perimeter of a room with borax and the earwigs will stay out of that room. Think of it like a barrier that they can’t cross over.
You can apply borax to the perimeter of bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, garages, crawl spaces, wall voids, basements, attics, and around your yard.
While borax is natural, you should wear gloves and a face mask when applying it. Avoid direct contact and breathing the powder. You should also keep pets and kids away from borax or boric acid at all times.
When the pest problem is taken care of, vacuum up the borax and safely dispose of it. Borax also works well against pill bugs and even carpenter ants.
Use petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly is a slippery substance that earwigs can’t grip onto.
They also avoid walking over the jelly as they don’t know what it is. You can spread petroleum jelly on your garden plants or houseplants if you have earwigs in the home.
This will protect your plants by using a safe shield against many pests. Test a small portion of a plant leaf before you cover the entire plant in jelly.
Some plants may be sensitive to it, so you want to be safe.
Soapy water
You can make your own earwig pesticide at home by using soapy water. This is one of the most popular DIY home remedies to kill pincher bugs and an effective homemade earwig killer spray.
To make it, add 1 tablespoon of dish soap to a cup of water and gently swirl until the soap diffuses. Take the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle. Then spray it directly onto pincher bugs when you see them. It’ll kill them within a few seconds. This is a way to kill earwigs in your home naturally.
You can also spray your plants with soapy water, but be sure to test on an inconspicuous leaf first just to see how the plant reacts. If everything’s OK, then apply to the entire plant.
The soapy water will kill earwigs and remove them from your garden or houseplants. Dish soap also kills other common pests on plants, such as fig beetles.
Diatomaceous earth
DE is another effective measure and kills earwigs. You can sprinkle the powder around your home where you see pincher bugs. Line it around the perimeter of rooms, under doorways, patio doors, and windows.
The DE will dehydrate them when they touch it, which can help prevent them or possibly kill them over time. You can also use DE for your houseplants or outdoor plants by sprinkling some around the base roof of the plant.
Assuming that the only way pincher bugs can crawl up your plant is through the base root, a circular ring of diatomaceous earth will force them to walk through it. This means for the bug to climb on the plant, it must walk through the DE first.
Of course, if you have a plant that’s touching the floor or soil and offers the bug many ways to climb onto it, you’ll have to either prune the plant, use stakes to keep it upright or use DE and something else like dish soap or petroleum jelly.
This is one way you can kill earwigs naturally.
Essential oils for earwigs
There are a few essential oils that get rid of earwigs. Some of the best oils to use are peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, lavender, cedar, cinnamon, clove, and basil.
Each essential oil is a little different, but the process is the same. Add 2-3 drops of the oil into a gallon of water.
Then pour some into a spray bottle. Spray it around your home near basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and garages. You can also spray sheds and outhouses if you have earwigs there. The smell of the oil helps keep pincher bugs out of your home naturally.
You may have to try a few different oil concentrations to see what works best. If it’s too weak, add more oil or use less water. If it’s too strong, use less oil or use more water.
Note that some oils may be harmful to pets and sensitive individuals.
Always do your reading before using any essential oil for earwig control. You can also use essential oils outdoors around your plants, though you’ll have to reapply every other day because of natural diffusion
Does vinegar get rid of earwigs?
You can use vinegar as a repellent to keep pincher bugs away.
Mix water and white vinegar in equal parts. Pour into a spray bottle. And Then spray it around your home or garden where you suspect earwigs are.
You can use it on door frames and windows, and especially your foundation where there are cracks or entry points.
Manual removal
The easiest way to kill one is to use a handheld vacuum. You can use a standing vacuum with a hose attachment or a portable shop-vac.
Suck up the pincher bug to prevent being pinched. This is effective for earwigs you come across in your home, but will only remove that singular bug.
You’ll have to take measures to actually clean up the home, set traps and repellents, and protect your houseplants to fully get rid of them.
You can also vacuum outdoors plants with a portable vacuum. This is especially handy when you have a ton of them eating your plants.
Vacuum as many as you can find and try to collect eggs that you may come across. Dispose of the vacuum bag safely after each removal. If you have a bagless vacuum, dump them into a bowl of dish soap and water.
Attract natural predators
For earwigs outdoors, you can lure predators that eat earwigs to help you control and manage the population.
Specifically, birds are one of the main predators that will gobble up earwigs for their next meal.
Depending on where you are, the variety of native bird species will vary. You can take steps to establish a garden that attracts them.
Do some research and see what birds are native to your area and find out how you can make your yard more appealing to them.
This often means doing things like setting up birdbaths, bird feeders, and presenting a yard full of bugs for them to eat.
Birds remember their favorite places to eat and will come back regularly to help you manage the pest problems. They eat pincher bugs and a variety of other pests like water boatmen.
Some other species that eat pincher bugs:
- Amphibians
- Centipedes
- Spiders
- Predatory wasps
- Birds
- Tachinid flies
- Yellowjackets
- Lizards
How to get rid of earwigs in your house

If you have earwigs in the home, here are some ways you can naturally get rid of them.
Bathroom
Earwigs are commonly found in the bathroom because of the moisture in the air.
The easiest way to keep them out is to always clean your towels, dry up any excess moisture or water, open your bathroom windows, and use an air circulator to keep humidity low.
You should also clean up the floor and sprinkle some diatomaceous earth or boric acid around the perimeter.
Basement
If you have earwigs in your basement, you should do two things: clean it up and reduce moisture.
First start packing up junk into secure rubber bins. Dispose of what you don’t need.
Cleaning up your basement doesn’t just get rid of earwigs- it also prevents many other pests from coming in as they have nowhere to hide, such as recluse spiders.
After that, use dehumidifiers for fans to keep the moisture level down. You can also use essential oil sprays to repel earwigs and set up oil traps to catch them.
Kitchen
Just like the bathroom, the kitchen is susceptible to moisture levels that are suitable for pincher bugs to live in.
Always keep your windows open when you cook to keep humidity down.
Keep the area clean and dispose of food. Wash the floors nightly. Always wash the dishes after meal. Set up traps and repellents.
There’s really no secret to preventing pest in the kitchen. It’s the same as any other area in the home.
You may as well read all the other sections for additional tips because the kitchen is no exception to any rule. You want to keep it clean and dry.
Bedroom
For earwigs in your bedroom, start off by getting rid of any junk you have lying around.
This only allows them a place to hide and you want to reduce that number. Line the perimeter of the room with borax or diatomaceous earth.
Put some under doorways and on windowsills.
Use some essential oil sprays or other natural repellents (covered in this guide). If your room is humid, use a fan or air circulator to reduce the humidity levels.
How to keep earwigs out of your home
Keeping them out of your house can be difficult because they’re tiny scavengers that can squeeze through many cracks.
Here are some basic tips that can help you prevent pincher bugs from getting into your house.
Seal up any crevices. Use a caulk gun or expanding foam to seal up foundation cracks on the outside of your home.
These cracks allow many pests into your house, so patching them up should be your first approach.
Be sure to carefully inspect your home, as you may not notice them the first time around.
Repair any damaged screens
This means fixing any screens on your doors or windows to prevent pests. You can patch them up, replace them, or just slap on some duct tape if you don’t mind the ugly appearance.
Set up traps in crawl spaces
Areas that are prone to collecting debris and bugs such as porches and decks, sheds, and outhouses are all very attractive to earwigs.
They’re undisturbed, have plenty of dead plants, and are hidden in dark areas.
Clean these areas out and set up traps for any pests that continue to establish a nest in those empty spaces.
Patch up wall voids
Voids in your wall can be difficult to assess and you may need to hire a professional to help you.
Bugs can enter your home through endpoints that tie into the natural voids in your walls.
Sometimes you’ll have to patch up very tiny entryways that you may miss or simply can’t see.
Caulk doorways and windows. Use a caulk applicator and caulk up any gaps between your windows or door gaps.
Earwigs can access your entire home just by sneaking through these miniature cracks. Seal up any possible entry points you can find.
Repeat annually as caulk doesn’t always last, especially under extreme sun or rain.
Replace weatherstripping
Any damaged weatherstripping around your doors or windows allows pincher bugs to enter your home.
Replace or repair them as necessary.
Weatherstripping is very easy to replace and you can often DIY the process.
Here’s a video to demonstrate:
Fix leaks
Pincher bugs need a source of moisture to survive because of their hard shells and instar molts.
This is why you often find them around the kitchen or bathroom areas that have a lot of moisture.
Sometimes basements also provide a source of humidity that they need. Fix any leaks in your faucets or drains to reduce the moisture in the area.
You want to prevent any dampness in the air if possible. This means fixing leaks in your plumbing that run throughout your home, and stopping any leaky faucets, sinks, showers, etc. from dripping water.
You want to reduce humidity and dampness to prevent earwigs from molting. Check to make sure that you have no visible leaks. Hire a plumber for professional help.
Earwigs and humidity
As stated earlier, earwigs need humid and moist conditions to survive and molt. Keep humidity below 60%.
You can use a humidity gauge to check the moisture conditions.
For areas that are constantly humid, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, you can use a dehumidifier or air circulator (such as a fan) to keep the air moving. Open windows and allow the moisture to dissipate.
This will help reduce humidity and prevent earwigs from molting and reproduction.
How do you keep earwigs out of the yard?

To keep earwigs out of your home, there are many things you can do.
Here we’ll cover some of the best ways to keep pincher bugs out of your home and garden. And we’ll cover how you can deter them naturally.
Clean up your yard
This is the most effective thing you can do.
s you now, you only have pincher bugs because they’re in your yard. If you have them in the home, they’re coming in from outside. If you get rid of the earwigs outdoors, then you won’t have any problem indoors.
Make sense?
That’s why you need to start outside the fist. Taking care of your yard and making it was the least attractive pincher bugs as possible. So that’s why you start by cleaning up your yard.
Here are some tips:
Clean up loose leaves
Dispose of any leaf litter as pincher bugs will hide under debris and also eat it. Don’t leave leaves hanging around your yard as they decompose and provide a food source for pests. Clean up all leaves.
Clean up grass clippings
Pincher bugs can travel through grass clippings as shelter. After you mow the lawn, clean up any loose grass you come across.
Prune your plants
Don’t let plants, bushes, trees, flowers, or any foliar overgrow. When they get out of control, they’ll drop leaves which only provides more places for pincher bugs to hide and feed off of. Keep your plants pruned and tidy at all times.
Secure woodpiles
Don’t leave woodpile exposed to the elements. Tarp or secure them from pests, as many different bugs will take shelter in exposed wood. Pincher bugs are just one of them.
Use non-organic mulch
Pincher bugs are attracted to organic mulch because it has a ton of micronutrients for them to eat and because it attracts other pests that can make a nice meal. Use inorganic mulch if possible to deter earwigs.
Rubber or stone mulch can be a good alternative mulch that’s pest-proof.
Harvest fruits and vegetables on time
Don’t let your fruits and veggies go overripe, as this can attract bugs like fig eaters and fruit flies.
Pincher bugs eat fruits and vegetable plants, so you want to harvest them before the bugs eat them. This is pretty much common sense. If you don’t want to harvest, then dispose of them.
Don’t let them overripe or else they’re ferment and attract even more bugs to your yard.
Switch to plants that keep earwigs away
Pincher bugs are attracted to some plants more than others.
You can switch to alternative plants that are less attractive to them, such as wormwood. This plant can help repel earwigs.
Or remove plants that you don’t need entirely. No plants mean no food.
Don’t use potted planters
earwigs hide under potted plants and come out during the night to eat them. Avoid using potted planters or place them on a rack off the ground.
Don’t let them sit on the floor as this makes them an easy target for earwigs to eat and also make a home out of.
Replace LED lighting
Traditional lighting or LED lighting both emit blue light at night. This attracts earwigs and other pests to your home.
You can replace them to reduce the number of pests that come to your yard by using sodium lights. These are the yellowish ones you see commonly found in older structures.
They’re often used as grow lights for small seedling plants and have a tinted hue that’s warmer.
You can replace the bulbs around your yard if you have patio lights with sodium lights to reduce the number of pincher bugs.
Further reading
Some additional resources that may be helpful to you:
- The chemical defenses of earwigs – NCBI
- Don’t Wig Out Over Earwigs – IA State
- What’s Eating My Vegetables? – UMass Extension
Did you get the earwigs out?

That’s all I have for you. But this should be a lot more than you need to get started.
You should now have everything you need to know about how to get rid of pincher bugs from your home, yard, or anywhere else naturally.
I hope this DIY guide for earwigs proved to be useful to you. If you have any questions, leave a comment and I’ll answer you ASAP.
Let me know if you found this helpful. Tell a friend who may be having the same problems with pincher bugs!
Thanks for reading.

Currently an active researcher in the pest control industry for the past 8 years- with a focus on using natural and organic methods to eliminate pest problems.
I share handy DIY pest techniques I come across here to help out others (and possibly save them from a mental breakdown).
Fight nature with nature.
I buy bug killer at Lowe’s and mix it in a gallon sprayer , and spray around the foundation of the house and even in the basement. So after the liquid drys how does it kill the earwigs
I buy bug killer at Lowe’s and mix it in a gallon sprayer , and spray around the foundation of the house and even in the basement. So after the liquid drys how does it kill the earwigs