Earwig Pest Control & Exterminators

What Are Earwigs?

Earwigs, also known as pincer bugs, are a garden variety pest that are active at night and can cause some damage to vegetation. They are common in most California yards and are drawn towards moisture. Treating earwigs requires on going treatment so call today to have a Griffin Pest Management earwig exterminator come inspect your property. We can develop a customized strategy designed to effectively kill all earwigs, so you no longer have to worry about them. 

Contrary to folklore, earwigs do not crawl into ears and eat peoples' brains at night. They do not spread diseases, but their menacing appearance can be alarming to a homeowner.

Request Free Estimate 

Contact Us

Steps You Can Take To Prevent Earwig Infestations

Remove earwig harborage sites such as leaf piles, mulch piles or other vegetation.
Seal cracks and crevices well to prevent structural entry
Book a service

Immediate Earwig Control

(888) 400-9011

Earwig Treatment Options

Inspection

Each service will require an inspection to find the problematic areas that need treatment. This helps our technicians determine the severity of the problem so we can accurately assess what needs to be done to control the earwig populations.


Local Spot Treatment

For smaller earwig problems, local spot treatment will target where earwigs are active and use a residual pesticide that will kill earwigs once they infect themselves with the poison.


Exterior Pesticide Application

To prevent access into the interior of a home, an exterior application should be applied. This creates a barrier of residual pesticides along the perimeter of the home or business that ensures that the earwigs die after contact.


Trapping

Glue traps can be left out to help catch earwigs, but this treatment strategy alone won’t be effective. It can be a great way to tell where earwigs are active so strategically placing them around harborage points will help identify high activity.



Exclusion

Exclusion practices are beneficial when earwigs are gaining access into your home via visible access points. Sealing cracks and crevices can greatly reduce access points to earwigs and other bugs. 

Earwig Appearance & Behavior

Earwigs are slender brown insects with big pincers on their tails. These look intimidating but they are harmless without any poison or venom. There are many species of earwigs, but they all prefer a wet environment which is why you will find them in gardens, bathrooms, and under sinks by plumbing. 

Earwig Diet & Damages

Earwigs are omnivores that feed off the fresh shoots and sprouts of vegetation and insects like mites and aphids. Sometimes earwigs can provide some support in controlling the populations of other predatory garden insect but sometimes they can also contribute to the damage done to certain plants, fruits, and vegetables. They can also do significant damage to brand new seedlings because the earwigs will strip them of their leaves which prevent them from growing. The damage caused to the plants’ leaves will look like damage caused by caterpillars while other shoots will be severed altogether. The damage caused to fruits will look like damage caused by snails, slugs, and worms.

Earwig Prevention

Even though earwigs prefer humid and moist areas to live and breed, they will often find their way into it if it provides shelter from unfriendly conditions. When it is hot outside, earwigs will scramble to find cool dark areas to hide. If you have ever lifted a potted plant, there are usually several that can be found hiding under the bottom of the pot. This is because this space is dark, cool, and likely a little damp from regular watering. Earwig prevention starts with addressing those harborage points that are found outside. By keeping areas clear of debris and organic refuse, you can prevent earwigs from congregating. This includes clearing mulch and leaves from your yard. It also helps to ensure that exclusion strategies are implemented so access points are sealed to prevent earwigs from finding access inside. This combined with an exterior perimeter spray.

Contact Griffin Pest Management

If you have seen signs of earwigs in your yard or in your home, it is critical to get a licensed pest control expert out to help stop earwig populations from getting out of hand. They reproduce quickly and can overtake a well-watered garden quickly. They will also make their way inside without the correct preventative measures. 

Quick Facts About Earwigs

Habits

Earwigs feed on plants and decaying plant matter.

Habitat

Earwigs usually hide in dark, warm places during the day.

Threats

Earwigs live in large numbers in mulch piles. These pests can destroy gardens and vegetation around the property.

Prevention

Reducing or eliminating areas of moisture near your home by weeding plant beds and removing woodpiles can prevent earwig infestations.

Earwig Control FAQs

  • How do you get rid of earwigs?

    Using a mix of rubbing alcohol and water is a good way to help kill and deter earwigs. When sprayed on earwigs, it kills them on contact while the smell acts as a deterrent. Boric acid can also be used to dust areas. This acts as a desiccant that dries earwigs up and causes them to die from dehydration.

  • What is the best pest control for earwigs?

    Griffin Pest Management uses a combination of several effective pesticides with prevention and on-going maintenance to round out our integrated pest management approach. This combines the unique strengths and benefits of several treatment strategies to compensate for their individual weaknesses. Call today to schedule an inspection so one of our technicians can create a customized strategy designed to effectively kill off all earwigs on your property. 

  • What causes an earwig infestation?

    Earwigs can be introduced into a home several ways. They can find their own way in via a tiny crack or crevice, or they can be brought in inside a potted plant or cardboard box. If a couple make it inside, there is a chance that the population will grow quickly because earwigs are prolific breeders. If there are signs of earwigs, it could indicate a much larger earwig problem at hand. Be sure to call Griffin Pest Management to schedule an inspection today.

  • Why do I have so many earwigs outside of my house?

    If there are earwigs entering your home, they could be attracted to food, lighting, or their living conditions have changed and are no longer habitable. This can happen during heat waves or heavy rains as their exterior harborage areas become too hot or too wet for them to survive. This causes them to leave and search for a habitable space for them to occupy.

Earwig Control Testimonials