How to Kill Earwig Insects

Earwigs are small insects most commonly associated with the myth that they crawl inside of the ears of individuals that are unfortunate enough to fall asleep in an area that is inhabitable by the bugs. While earwigs do not actually prey upon humans, eating instead small foliage and moss to sustain themselves, they can still prove to be a nuisance around the home. To remove earwigs from your home there are a variety of extermination remedies available.

Insecticide

Soap

Water

Spray bottle

Newspaper

Twine

Zip lock bags

Coffee lid

Vegetable oil

Honey

Purchase a pesticide spray that specifically lists earwigs as an insect it will kill. Many pesticides will not work on earwigs.

Mix a solution of soap and water in a spray bottle. The soapier the solution is without ceasing to be a liquid the more effective the spray will be.

Spray around locations infested with earwigs. To find likely earwig locations spray areas where they have been seen as well as areas where the soil is often damp.

Roll a newspaper to create a paper tube, and secure the tube with twine to create a water trap.

Wet the tube so the entire paper is saturated, then leave it overnight in earwig-infested locations.

Place the trap in a sealed plastic bag in the morning and throw away.

Fill a coffee can lid, or similar item, with 1/2 inch of vegetable oil to start an oil trap.

Squirt a small dollop of honey into the middle of the oil to attract earwigs.

Place the trap in earwig-infested locations. Earwigs climb into the oil to attempt to reach the honey and then cannot escape.