Earwigs And Prevention

There are times when earwigs will find a way into the house, which can be so freaky.
If mulch or some other plant matter is bringing the earwigs close to the house they can often find a crack on the exterior of the house that can eventually enable them to get into the house. If this seems to be the case all one needs to do is seal the cracks you suspect are giving access to the earwig. Another option to help keep earwigs from the house would be to move mulch and other dead plant material away from the house.
One of the first thing to do and most importantly in controlling earwigs  is to eliminate where they hide. If the earwig harborages are not addressed, insecticide application will probably not control earwigs very well. There are different ways in earwigs prevention;

Clean and dry Out Moisture-Prone Areas – A dehumidifier might help in a damp basement.

Adjusting Exterior Lighting – Adjust outdoor lights to shine from the yard onto the house – insects will be attracted away from the house. If moving outside light fixtures is not practical, consider changing light bulbs to yellow bulbs since white lights are more attractive to insects.

Cleaning Up – Move landscape timbers, logs, decorative stones, and firewood piles away from the foundation.


Cut or Trim Overhanging Branches – Trim trees and shrubs that cause damp, shady areas near the house.

Good drainage is important – Examine gutters and downspouts to make sure they drain away from the foundation. Set irrigation systems so that they water in the morning and allow the landscape to dry during the day.

Eliminate or remove 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 5” to 11” wide so that earwigs will avoid it.


Possible Entry Points needs to be secured – Repair screens on crawl space vents and make sure the vents are not blocked.

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