How to Prevent and Get Rid of Earwigs in Idaho
Earwigs are a common nuisance pest throughout the Treasure Valley, especially during warm months when moisture levels rise. Although they look intimidating with their long bodies and rear pincers, earwigs rarely cause harm to people or property. Most live outdoors in shaded, damp areas, but they may enter homes when conditions outside become too dry, too wet, or too hot.
Understanding why earwigs appear, where they hide, and how to reduce the conditions that attract them is the key to long-term prevention.
What Earwigs Eat and Where They Hide
Earwigs are nocturnal and spend their days hiding in cool, moist environments. They are quick-moving insects that seek shelter anywhere they can find humidity and darkness.
Common hiding spots include:
- Under landscape rocks
- Beneath siding edges or debris
- In bark, grass clippings, or mulch
- Along foundation cracks
- Inside damp sheds, garages, or crawl spaces
Earwigs have a varied diet and feed on:
- Mosses and lichens
- Fungi and algae
- Dead insects and spiders
- Live mites and small pests
- Tender plant material, fruits, and vegetables
In garden settings, earwigs can occasionally damage young plants. Around homes, they are mostly a nuisance rather than a threat.
How to Keep Earwigs Out of Your Idaho Home
Earwig prevention focuses on removing moisture, sealing entry points, and reducing outdoor harborage areas.
Inspect and Repair Screens and Door Frames
Earwigs often enter through small structural gaps. Check:
- Window screens for tears
- Door sweeps for gaps
- Weatherstripping around doors and windows
- Basement and crawl space vents
Repairing these issues helps block several kinds of pests, not just earwigs.
Seal Cracks and Exterior Entry Points
Walk the perimeter of your home and look for openings around:
- Foundation edges
- Siding seams
- Plumbing penetrations
- Electrical lines
- Eaves and floorboards
Seal cracks with high quality caulk or an appropriate exterior sealant. This prevents earwigs from slipping indoors during hot or wet weather.
Reduce Moisture Around the Home
Earwigs thrive in damp environments. Focus on:
- Fixing leaking pipes and outdoor spigots
- Improving drainage around the foundation
- Reducing overwatering in landscape beds
- Clearing gutters to prevent pooling water
- Avoiding thick mulch directly against the home
Removing moisture sources also discourages cockroaches, sow bugs, centipedes, and other moisture loving pests.
Earwig Treatment and Control Options
If earwigs are already present inside the home, several steps can help manage the problem.
- Use a dehumidifier in damp rooms such as basements or laundry areas
- Vacuum visible earwigs and dispose of the bag outside
- Remove clutter or stored items that trap moisture
- Correct leaks or condensation problems
Outdoors, reduce hiding spots by:
- Trimming back vegetation
- Removing leaf piles and grass clippings
- Storing firewood away from the foundation
- Lifting planters and outdoor items off the ground when possible
Professional pest control treatments can create a protective barrier around the home and address high pressure areas where earwigs commonly nest.
When to Contact a Professional
It may be time to call for professional help when:
- Earwigs appear indoors repeatedly
- Moisture problems cannot be resolved easily
- Outdoor populations grow near entrances or patios
- Earwigs begin invading bathrooms, kitchens, or basements
- You find them entering from wall gaps or crawl spaces
A trained technician can identify the underlying moisture or structural issues, apply targeted treatments, and help prevent recurring activity.
If you want dependable protection against earwigs and other moisture pests, Pestcom Pest Management provides year-round service designed for Idaho homes. Contact us today to schedule a visit or begin a customized prevention plan.