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The Ultimate Guide to Rodent Control
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Earwigs in house can spoil a quiet night, especially in July through September. I’ve spent four years as a registered technician and our third-generation family business has served the DMV for over 50 years. I’ve seen many earwig issues and know how to tackle them.
Earwigs belong to the order Dermaptera, family Forficulidae. The European earwig (Forficula auricularia) is the most common species in our region. According to NC State Extension, they have a flattened body and forceps-like cerci.
Earwigs produce one generation each year and overwinter in soil or debris. Females lay eggs underground and guard them until hatching. As noted by Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension, nymphs mature by late summer, driving peak activity.
Earwigs are omnivores eating decaying plants, fungi, and small insects. They help control aphids and mites but can nibble on petals and seedlings. The University of Maryland Extension highlights their dual role in gardens.
Earwigs sneak in through gaps at doors, foundation joints, and unscreened vents. They also hitchhike in potted plants, firewood, and laundry baskets. Porch and flood lights attract them near thresholds. Learn more at How Do Earwigs Get In Your House & Ways To Keep Them Out.
Earwigs love moist mulch, clogged gutters, and leaky spigots. They hide under leaf piles, wood stacks, and dense groundcovers. Evening watering on soil surface boosts their activity.
You might find single earwigs in bathrooms, basements, or laundry rooms. Check under doormats or cardboard for clusters. Outdoors, look for ragged leaf holes on plants. Night flashlight surveys agree with the University of Minnesota Extension findings.
You can find DIY trap photos at Nebraska Extension.
Ground beetles, toads, and birds eat earwigs naturally. However, biocontrol is limited in homes and not practical for full infestations.
Use perimeter residual sprays (e.g., permethrin) on an 18–24 in. foundation wall band. Apply in late afternoon for fresh nighttime residues. Place granular or gel baits in mulch zones, separate from sprays. For indoor issues, apply spot treatments in cracks and crevices only if wanderers persist. Always follow label directions and EPA-approved products we trust.
For related pest tips, see How to Get Rid of Spiders in House: No More Webs & Crawlers and How to Get Rid of Termites: Pro Methods & Home Remedies.
Seal all gaps with silicone caulk and install weather-stripping and door sweeps. Screen foundation and attic vents with 1/8 in. mesh. Keep mulch and plant beds at least 12 in. from siding. Swap bright bulbs for yellow “bug” LEDs near doors. Maintain gutters and adjust irrigation timing. For more tips, check Termite Prevention & Control.
In the VA–MD–DC area, rainy springs followed by hot, dry summers push earwigs indoors from mid-June to September. The European earwig dominates, though ring-legged earwigs appear south of the Potomac. Row houses need shared perimeter care and ivy management.
With these tips, you can handle earwigs in house now and keep them out next season. Call us at 703-683-2000 or email [email protected] for expert advice or a free estimate.
Earwigs enter through small gaps at doors, weep holes, or vents. They also hitchhike in potted plants or firewood. Outdoor lights can draw them inside.
Earwigs don’t spread diseases or cause major damage. They pinch with forceps but rarely break skin. Most find them a nuisance rather than a threat.
Earwig pincers can pinch, but bites are rare and mild. They use forceps for defense or handling food, not for feeding on people.
No. Homes lack the moisture and food earwigs need for a full life cycle. They wander indoors but usually move back outside.
Reduce outdoor lighting and swap to yellow LEDs. Keep foundations dry and clear of mulch and debris. Seal all entry points with caulk.
That myth has no scientific basis. Earwigs don’t enter ears to lay eggs. They stay hidden in dark, damp places outdoors and sometimes wander inside.
Note: We use only EPA-approved products vetted by our internal research team. For help with earwigs in house or any pest concern, call 703-683-2000 or email [email protected].
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that’s been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area. Read his bio.
