How to get rid
of earwigs.
How to get rid of earwigs: remove damp hiding places around the foundation, fix drainage, seal gaps and trap them with rolled newspaper or oil traps. A guide for Toronto homes.
Earwigs are outdoor insects that hide in damp, dark places during the day, such as under mulch, leaves, stones and boards. They often come indoors in summer, especially in July and August, sometimes in large numbers, but they do not breed indoors and do not live long inside. Getting rid of them starts outside, by removing their hiding places close to the house.
How to Get Rid of Earwigs:
step by step.
1. Confirm they are earwigs
Earwigs are about 1.5 cm long, reddish-brown and flat, with a pair of pincers at the tail. They are active at night and hide in tight, damp spaces during the day.
2. Clear damp hiding places
Move mulch, leaf litter, boards, stones and stacked pots back from the foundation, ideally leaving a dry strip of gravel or bare ground along the walls.
3. Fix drainage and moisture
Clean eavestroughs, point downspouts away from the house, fix leaky outdoor taps and avoid overwatering beds next to the foundation.
4. Seal entry points
Caulk gaps around windows, doors, basement windows and where pipes and wires enter the home, and replace worn door sweeps and weather stripping.
5. Trap them outdoors
Roll up damp newspaper or a piece of corrugated cardboard and leave it in the garden overnight. Earwigs will hide inside; shake them into soapy water in the morning. A shallow container with a little vegetable oil also works as a trap.
6. Remove the ones indoors
Vacuum or sweep up earwigs found inside. They do not breed indoors, so once outdoor numbers drop, indoor sightings drop too.
Mistakes
to avoid.
- Spraying insecticide indoors, where earwigs do not breed.
- Piling mulch or leaves against the foundation.
- Leaving bright outdoor lights on all night near doors, which attracts insects.
- Ignoring leaky taps and blocked downspouts.
When to call
a professional.
Our earwig control service in Toronto costs $199–$499, before HST. Quotes are free, and we are fully licensed and insured.
Call a professional if
- You see many earwigs indoors every day.
- They keep coming in after you have cleared and sealed around the house.
- They are coming into a basement or crawl space you cannot reach.
- You are not sure whether they are earwigs or another insect.
Common questions.
Do earwigs pinch or bite?
They can grab onto things with their pincers but cannot squeeze hard. They are harmless to people and do not damage your home or food.
Do earwigs crawl into ears?
No. That is an old myth. Earwigs hide in tight, dark spaces, but they do not seek out people’s ears.
Why do I have so many earwigs this year?
Earwig numbers rise in wet springs and summers and around homes with lots of mulch, leaf litter and damp areas near the foundation.
Still seeing activity?
Tell us what you are seeing, where and for how long. We will confirm the price before any work starts.
Guidance based on University of Minnesota Extension: earwigs. Updated October 10, 2026.