Most homes deal with insects from time to time. In rural areas, it’s common to see flies, ants, and spiders, especially during warmer months. But while some bugs are tolerable, others—like earwigs—are not as welcome.
For some people, bugs are just part of daily life. But earwigs often get a stronger reaction because of how they look. They may seem alarming, even though they usually don’t cause any harm.
You might have seen an earwig before without realizing it. They have a long body and pincers on the back, which can make them look threatening. But earwigs are not dangerous to people or pets.
A Facebook user named Alicia Alexander shared a method that helped her get rid of earwigs around her home. She used a simple bowl with olive oil.
To try it, pour about half a cup of olive oil into a shallow dish and place it outside—on your porch, in the yard, or near your deck. Earwigs are drawn to the oil and end up getting stuck in it.
Alicia said this method worked well for her. Within just 24 to 36 hours, she saw a noticeable number of earwigs in the dish. It’s a low-effort solution using something most people already have in their kitchen.
While earwigs don’t usually cause damage, seeing a lot of them could be a sign of something else. They’re attracted to damp or rotting wood, so it’s a good idea to check for any wood rot in your home.
Sometimes earwigs enter homes simply because it’s warmer inside. This is common and not usually a reason to worry. Keeping your home dry and sealing cracks can help reduce their presence.
Using the olive oil method can be a helpful step if you want to cut down the number of earwigs around your home without using chemicals.