Where Do Earwigs Come From? Why These Pests Come Inside Your Home

Why earwigs are checking in—and how to make them check out

Close-up of an earwig on a wooden surface
Photo: Daniel Tamas Mehes / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Close-up of an earwig on a wooden surface
Photo: Daniel Tamas Mehes / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Highlights
  • Food and shelter attract earwigs into your home.

  • These insects feast on houseplants, mold, mildew, decaying organic matter, and crumbs.

  • They seek shelter during the daytime in cold, dark places. 

  • Remove wet piles of leaves, mulch, and wood from the outside of your home to prevent earwigs from setting up shop there. 

  • If all else fails, an exterminator can remove earwigs. 

Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon

Although they may look like tiny villains (with an unwarranted reputation to match), earwigs are less harmful than other bugs that make their way indoors. In most cases, earwigs are seeking food and shelter when the outside temperatures increase, which is what lures them inside. 

If you’re wondering where all the earwigs are coming from, we explore what can be enticing them and how to give them the boot. 

Common Things That Attract Earwigs

Without food and shelter, earwigs can’t survive. Which is why easy access to this duo can entice them to come from their natural habitat—outdoors—and into your cozy space. Here are the most common attractors of these pesky pincer-wielding insects. 

Food

Although they don’t primarily feast on crumbs or other food scraps like other bugs, earwigs can find food sources inside, especially if you have a plethora of plants. 

Common “food” they’ll find indoors include: 

  • Mold or mildew

  • Houseplants

  • Other insects

  • Pet food

  • Decaying organic matter 

  • If desperate, crumbs or food scraps

Shelter

Earwigs are nocturnal lawn pests, but when daylight strikes, they seek out cold, damp places that tend to go undisturbed. This is where your home comes in. Leaky pipes or unseen pooling water can easily attract earwigs, as can piles of wet mulch, leaves, or firewood. 

Make sure any excess piles near your home, especially around windows, doors, and your foundation, are removed and any indoor plumbing issues are addressed to keep earwigs from setting up shop inside. 

How Can Earwigs Enter Your Home?

A bright living  room with houseplants
Photo: 10'000 Hours / DigitalVision / Getty Images

Earwigs can slip into your home through surprisingly small and common openings. Here’s how they’re likely getting inside: 

  • Through cracks and gaps in window sills, walls, and door frames

  • Under doors with worn or missing weather stripping 

  • In damp items brought indoors, such as potted plants, firewood, or newspapers 

  • Through open doors and windows

  • In dryer or attic vents and bathroom exhausts

  • Through gaps around piping and cables

Check these areas regularly to make sure the entry points are sealed. That way, earwigs can seek shelter outside where they belong. 

How to Get Rid of Earwigs

The best way to get rid of earwigs is to eliminate their source of food and shelter. Cleaning your kitchen regularly by wiping down surfaces and vacuuming up crumbs can ensure no scraps get swiped by these brown bugs. It also helps to check underneath your sinks for leaky pipes or pooling water that can attract earwigs inside. 

If prevention methods don’t help, it’s time to call your local exterminator to inspect the property and implement a treatment plan. They can also help identify unsealed cracks or entry points that give earwigs easy access inside. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of pest control ranges from $110 to $260, depending on the extent of the infestation and what kind of treatment it requires. The size of your home can also affect the bottom line, as bigger homes can require more labor and be more expensive to treat. Consult a local pest control pro to get an accurate estimate for your specific infestation.

Earwigs hate dry heat the most, which is why you may be more likely to see them inside when summer rears its hot head. They prefer cold, damp environments, so if you have a basement, it may be a prime place to spot earwigs if they make their way inside. 

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to pest control services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
bumblebee sits on purple flower in flowerbed
May 21, 2025
May 21, 2025
How much does bee removal cost? Learn what you’ll pay based on factors like hive location, size of the infestation, extermination or removal, and more.
The interior of an eclectic dining room on a sunny day
May 9, 2025
May 9, 2025
If you have a serious rodent problem, you may need to know the cost of hiring a rat exterminator. We can help you estimate prices and control costs.
Close-up of termites on a wooden surface
May 9, 2025
May 9, 2025
Keep your home free of termites and the damage they do. Learn more about inspections, infestations, and the average cost of termite treatments.
Termites searching for food
Jun 6, 2025
Jun 6, 2025
The duration of a termite treatment’s effectiveness varies by the type. So, how long does termite treatment last? Read on to learn more.
Cockroach on white cupboard
May 29, 2025
May 29, 2025
Learn what kills cockroaches instantly in our guide: X methods for immediate roach removal. Read about the potential applications, pros, and cons of each option.
termites on wall
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Think you have termites in your drywall? Learn the signs, what it costs to fix, and when it’s time to call in a professional extermination company.