Keep earwigs out of your house by reducing moisture, sealing cracks, and removing damp debris around your foundation. Use traps, natural repellents, and drain treatments for added protection. For lasting results, Florida homeowners trust Hoffer Pest Solutions to keep homes pest-free year-round.

Earwigs may look intimidating with their pincers, but what really makes them a nuisance is how easily they slip indoors. In Florida, where humidity never takes a break, earwigs thrive in crawlspaces, basements, and bathrooms, anywhere damp and dark. Left unchecked, they can multiply quickly and appear in surprising places, from drains to pillows.

The good news? You can stop earwigs before they settle in. By controlling moisture, sealing gaps, and using simple traps or repellents, homeowners can keep these pests from turning comfort into frustration.

Hoffer Pest Solutions have been protecting Florida families for over 40 years, and we know earwigs are only a symptom of a bigger problem: hidden leaks, excess humidity, or entry points around your home. That’s why we combine prevention with long-term solutions that truly work.

Below, we’ll break down exactly why earwigs get inside, how to spot the warning signs, and the step-by-step actions you can take to keep them out for good.

Step-by-Step Guide to Keeping Earwigs Out of Your House

The most effective way to protect your Florida home from earwigs is to tackle the problem in stages. From eliminating moisture to sealing cracks and using safe traps, here’s a clear step-by-step approach you can follow to keep these pests from sneaking inside.

Step 1: Eliminate What Attracts Earwigs

The most effective way to keep earwigs away is to remove the conditions that invite them inside.

Moisture Control First

Fix plumbing leaks, dripping faucets, or roof seepage.
Address condensation on pipes and in crawlspaces.
Install dehumidifiers or vapor barriers to keep basements and crawlspaces dry.
Use hygrometers to monitor hidden humidity levels before infestations get out of hand.

Remove Outdoor Earwig Havens

Keep mulch, compost piles, and firewood away from your foundation.
Trim back thick vegetation where earwigs hide.
Some homeowners even create a decoy mulch pile farther from the house to redirect earwig nesting.

By taking away their food, moisture, and hiding spots, you make your home less inviting.

Step 2: Seal and Block Their Entry Points

Earwigs find tiny gaps and take advantage.

Seal cracks in foundations and gaps in siding with caulk.
Install tight-fitting door sweeps and make sure window screens are secure.
Cover laundry and bathroom exhaust vents with mesh screens to stop earwig hitchhikers.
Don’t overlook drains: these moist passageways are perfect entry points. Pouring vinegar or boiling water down drains a few times a year helps flush out and deter them.

Taking these preventative measures ensures that even if earwigs are active outdoors, they don’t find a way into your living space.

Step 3: Use DIY Traps & Repellents That Work

Even after moisture reduction and sealing, you may still see the occasional earwig indoors. A few simple, non-chemical tools can bring quick relief.

Traps That Reduce Numbers

Oil traps: Fill a shallow dish with vegetable or fish oil. Earwigs are drawn in and drown.
Rolled-up cardboard or magazines: Leave overnight near problem areas. In the morning, shake the earwigs into soapy water.
Sticky traps: Mouse glue boards can be placed behind appliances or near drains. Adding a few drops of fish oil increases their effectiveness.

Natural Repellents & Sprays

DIY sprays: Mixtures of rubbing alcohol and water, vinegar, or dish soap can kill earwigs on contact.
Herbal deterrents: Basil, lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus have strong scents that push earwigs away from entry points.
Peppermint oil: Homeowners often try this method, though results are mixed. It may help as a supplement but rarely works on its own.

These methods keep numbers under control without harsh chemicals and are especially useful when paired with ongoing prevention.

Step 4: When DIY Fails: Professional-Grade Options

If earwigs keep returning, it’s not because you did something wrong, it’s because moisture and hidden leaks often persist out of sight. Traditional store-bought insecticides don’t work well since earwigs don’t groom themselves like ants or roaches, meaning chemical residues on their legs aren’t ingested.

Pest professionals use targeted solutions like Sumari, Alpine WSG, Transport, Crossfire, and Temprid, products formulated to work on earwigs and safe when applied correctly. Just as importantly, a professional can trace the issue back to its source: the damp crawlspace, the leaky drain, or the hidden foundation gap.

We pair treatment with moisture management and exclusion work, ensuring long-term protection so you don’t keep battling the same problem each season. Contact us if you need help.

Why Earwigs End Up Inside Your Home

Earwigs are driven indoors by two main factors, moisture and shelter. Basements, bathrooms, and crawlspaces offer the humidity and protection they crave. When Florida’s summer rains saturate soil or when drought dries it out, earwigs migrate to cooler, damp spaces inside.

They often enter through foundation cracks, loose-fitting door sweeps, unsealed drains, and gaps under siding. Exhaust vents and outdoor lighting also lure them in, with porch lights drawing winged earwigs during the night. Florida’s year-round warmth and high humidity only increase the likelihood that these insects will try to make themselves at home.

Signs You’re Dealing With Earwigs Indoors

The first clue is usually spotting earwigs at night in kitchens or bathrooms. Some homeowners have even found them in pillows, toothbrushes, or furniture, which adds to the unsettling nature of these pests.

Clusters in basements, drains, or under sinks often signal that hidden moisture is at play. Despite their name, earwigs don’t crawl into human ears, but their presence usually means your home has a leak, condensation, or damp foundation that needs attention.

Why Florida Residents Trust Hoffer Pest Solutions

For more than 40 years, Hoffer Pest Solutions has been helping Florida families keep their homes safe from pests. As a local, family-owned company, we know the unique pressures our climate creates, constant humidity, seasonal rains, and the year-round activity of insects like earwigs.

Here’s why your neighbors choose us:

Same-day service when earwig sightings suddenly spike.
Eco-friendly, family-safe treatments that address earwigs without unnecessary chemicals.
Moisture and exclusion expertise, so you don’t just kill earwigs, you keep them out.
A long-term commitment to your peace of mind, not just a quick spray and walk away.

Don’t let earwigs creep you out, call Hoffer Pest Solutions today for help keeping your Florida home dry, secure, and pest-free.

Keep Earwigs Out for Good

Earwigs show up because your house is damp. By controlling moisture, sealing entry points, and using safe traps, you can stop them from moving in. And when prevention and DIY methods fail, contact Hoffer Pest Solutions. We are here with proven strategies to eliminate infestations and protect your home year-round.

Your home should be a place of comfort, not stress. Let our family help protect yours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do earwigs keep coming back even after spraying?

Because sprays alone don’t fix the problem. If a home still has damp crawlspaces, leaking pipes, or heavy mulch against the foundation, earwigs will return no matter how much chemical is used.

Can earwigs really come up through drains?

Yes. Drains offer the dark, damp shelter earwigs prefer. Pouring vinegar or boiling water down drains periodically is a safe way to deter them.

How many earwigs indoors is considered an infestation?

Seeing one or two earwigs occasionally isn’t unusual. If you’re spotting them nightly, or in clusters under sinks or in basements, that’s a red flag for excess moisture and potential infestation.

Do heat waves make infestations worse?

Absolutely. During extreme heat, earwigs flee outdoors in search of cooler, moist environments, your home can quickly become their safe haven.

Should I be worried about them pinching or harming my family?

Earwigs may pinch, but they rarely break skin and don’t spread disease. The bigger issue is the discomfort and stress they cause when found in places like bedrooms or bathrooms.