How do I get rid of earwigs in my home?

Question: Why do I have earwigs in my home? How do I get rid of the earwigs?

Answer: Earwigs in and around the house look dangerous, but they are not aggressive. In spite of their common name, they do not enter ears at night. They are predators of other insects, but will also eat plant material.

Start by inspecting the outside of the house. Remove as many earwig hiding places as possible. Stack firewood on a rack and move it away from the house. Rake mulch and dead leaves away from the foundation—try to make a 12" clear zone. It is sometimes necessary to have trees trimmed to allow more sunshine on the yard.

Make sure exterior doors close tightly and replace any missing weather stripping.

Indoors, eliminate any excess moisture and dampness in the home.

After eliminating these conditions that they find attractive, call your local Orkin branch office. A highly trained Orkin Pest Specialist will come to your home, conduct a thorough inspection and, after assessing the situation, recommend a scientifically proven customized treatment plan that will best fit your needs.