How To Remove Pincher Worms From Your Soul

Expert’s answer:

Pincher Worms

Pincher worms, also known as earwigs, are insects that can be found in and around gardens and homes. While they are generally harmless, their presence can be undesirable for some people. Here are some methods to remove pincher worms from your surroundings:

1. Diatomaceous Earth: Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance that can effectively control earwigs. Sprinkle a thin layer of diatomaceous earth around the areas where you have observed the worms. The sharp edges of the diatomaceous earth particles will cut through the exoskeleton of the worms, causing them to dehydrate and die. Be sure to use food-grade diatomaceous earth to avoid any potential harm to pets or beneficial insects.

2. Sealing and Cleaning: Pincher worms are attracted to damp and dark areas, so it’s important to eliminate their preferred habitats. Seal any cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation, siding, or windows to prevent their entry. Remove any debris, such as newspapers or lumber, near the sides of your house, as they can provide shelter for the worms.

3. Natural Predators: Encourage natural predators of earwigs, such as birds, to visit your garden. Birds, including robins, starlings, and chickens, feed on earwigs and can help control their population.

4. Traps: Set up traps to catch pincher worms. You can create a simple trap by placing a damp newspaper or rolled-up cardboard in the garden. The worms will seek shelter in these moist areas, and you can collect and dispose of them in the morning.

5. Chemical Control: If the infestation is severe and other methods have been unsuccessful, you may consider using insecticides labeled for earwig control. Follow the instructions on the product carefully and use it as a last resort.

Remember, pincher worms play a beneficial role in the ecosystem by feeding on decaying organic matter and other insects. It’s important to consider the balance between pest control and preserving the overall health of your garden.

How to get rid of earwigs in your house fast
How to get rid of earwigs in your house fast – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How can earwigs be repelled?

There are five simple ways to quickly get rid of earwigs. Any earwig activity should be vacuumed up. Your vacuum cleaner serves as the first step in the process, according to Megan Wede of Done Right Pest Solutions. dot. Use a soap-and-water mixture. dot. To infested cracks, apply boric acid. dot. Excess moisture must be removed. dot. Organize a dehumidifier.

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Why are earwig infestations so bad in 2023?

Since we’ve had so much rain this year, earwig activity has been high, according to Rainey Land, owner of Killin’ It Termite and Pest. Earwigs, also referred to as pincher bugs, prefer moist, damp, dark places, such as inside a mailbox or under flowerpots and leaves.

What are earwigs a sign of
What are earwigs a sign of – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What draws pincher bugs to the home?

Pincher bugs look for locations with a lot of moisture. A place is ideal for habitation if it is damp or wet. Inside, this means hiding out in your basement near the washing machine or in your wet towels, whereas outdoors this might mean finding a spot under a rotting log or in your flower bed.

Watch the moisture levels in your home to prevent any earwig problems. Fix leaking pipes, frequently replace wet towels, and fix the dripping sink. Consider purchasing a dehumidifier if your home is very humid, particularly in the basements. More dry conditions result in fewer pincher bugs.

Vacuuming them up is an easy way to get rid of earwigs. The vacuum is the ideal tool for sucking up both the adults and the eggs of these pests. It can be particularly useful for getting rid of these insects from carpeting or difficult-to-reach areas.

How to get rid of pincher bugs naturally
How to get rid of pincher bugs naturally – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How come there are so many earwigs in 2023?

This year, earwigs are much more prevalent, according to Sinia.

The three factors of temperature, wetness, and humidity combined indicate that there is a lot of decomposing organic matter present, which is what earwigs primarily consume. Really, it’s the ideal pairing”.

With their six legs, antenna, and pincers, they might not be the most well-liked insect, but they do have some advantages.

“They aid in the breakdown of organic matter. We require all the nutrients and nitrogen recycled in nature, so decomposition is essential, according to Sinia.

Pincher bug repellent
Pincher bug repellent – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Why do I suddenly have earwigs in my home?

However, things are different inside your house. Wet cardboard, wet newspapers, and potted plants can all introduce earwigs into a home. When the weather outside becomes unbearably hot or cold for them, they will also go inside, searching for comfortable places to live. If they come across moist areas, such as overwatered plants, a cluttered, damp basement or garage, dripping faucets, or windowsills, they will remain inside.

If you have an earwig problem in your garden, try using diatomaceous earth, a sedimentary rock that, when crumbled, can keep earwigs from climbing up onto your plants and devouring them. The best results will come from spreading it around your plants.

Make sure to clean up any moist and cluttered areas that could serve as a home for the earwigs if you’re trying to get rid of an earwig infestation inside your house. If you have several potted plants, you can depot them and get rid of the earwigs and eggs from the roots.

What instantly kills earwigs?

Spraying earwigs with a solution made of water and rubbing alcohol in an equal ratio will kill them instantly. To make sure it won’t harm the plant, spray just one leaf and wait 24 hours before treating the entire plant. In areas where you’ve noticed earwigs, use boric acid, which is available at hardware stores.

How to keep earwigs out of house
How to keep earwigs out of house – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Do earwigs in your home constitute a health risk?

The earwig is an unintentional invader that can be a pest in homes, just like boxelder bugs, crickets, and lady beetles. Especially in the fall or during extended periods of dry weather, they enter homes either on purpose or out of necessity. There is no harm or destruction brought about by earwigs inside the house. Because of their presence, they are an irritation or a bother. If earwigs are disturbed, they might emit a strong odor.

It is possible to sweep or pick up and throw away earwigs that are found inside the home. Cracks and crevices that serve as entry points, along baseboards, window sills, and door thresholds can all be treated indoors with household residual insecticides, such as those for cockroaches. As more earwigs might stray in from the outside, such treatments might not be very effective. Additionally, do your best to eliminate any wet or humid conditions near the house. Fix leaky faucets and air conditioners, and direct water from gutters and downspouts away from the foundation of the house. Remove all landscape mulch and trash, including wood chips, gravel, and rusted bricks and boards. (from up against the house and in the dense areas.

When they feed on the flowers, earwigs outside can harm plants and are particularly inconvenient. Earwigs are difficult to control, and there is probably no way to get rid of them entirely from your yard.

Take into consideration physically capturing and eliminating earwigs. Place burlap bags, boards, newspapers, or other materials on the ground, then each day gather people who congregate beneath the cover and throw them away.

Pincher bug vs earwig
Pincher bug vs earwig – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How can an earwig infestation be eliminated?

Rake up dead plant matter, such as fruit that has fallen to the ground and other dead plant matter. Cut off any dying branches or leaves. Detach wood piles from the sides of your house, your garden, and other outdoor areas. Clean out your gutters, especially if they are overflowing with dead leaves.

Due to the fact that they consume aphids, earwigs occasionally have a positive effect on your garden. Try the following methods to get rid of them, but only if they start harming your plants or infesting your house.

Repellant measures might be sufficient to get rid of the earwigs if they are in your yard. Make an effort to reduce both food sources and hiding places first.

You can use everyday items to make your plants less enticing once you’ve done what you can to earwig-proof the area. Spray the leaves of your plants with a solution made up of water and a few drops of mild dish soap. By wiping down leaves with this soapy water, you can make them taste bad to earwigs.

Pincher bug in house
Pincher bug in house – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Are earwigs harmful to your home?

The earwig is an unintentional invader that can be a pest in homes, just like boxelder bugs, crickets, and lady beetles. Especially in the fall or during extended dry spells, they enter homes accidentally or in search of shelter. There is no damage or harm done by earwigs inside the home. Because of their presence, they are an irritation or a bother. If earwigs are disturbed, they might emit a strong odor.

You can sweep up or pick up and throw away earwigs that you find inside the house. In order to treat indoor areas with household residual insecticides for cockroaches, such as cracks and crevices that serve as entry points, baseboards, window sills, and door thresholds may be used. As more earwigs might come inside from outside, such treatments might not be very effective. Additionally, do your best to eliminate any wet or humid conditions near the house. Fix leaky faucets, air conditioners, and rain gutters and downspouts, and direct water away from the foundation of the house. Get rid of the mulch and other landscaping trash, including wood chips, gravel, and rusted bricks and boards. (from up against the house and in the dense areas.

Earwigs that feed on flowers outside can harm plants, and this is particularly annoying. Earwigs are difficult to control, and your yard probably won’t be completely free of them.

Take into consideration physically capturing and eliminating earwigs. Lay out burlap bags, boards, newspapers, or other materials on the ground, then pick up and discard each day any people who gather beneath the cover.

Are pincher bugs dangerous
Are pincher bugs dangerous – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Where in the house do earwigs lay their eggs?

In their natural environment, earwigs prefer moist soil or wet, rotting leaves. An earwig can find a lot of cozy spots inside your house. An earwig can find plenty of moist, temperature-friendly shelter underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks, in your basement, or even in your crawl space.

Call a pest control expert to treat your home and property to eliminate and reduce the earwig population if you have a significant earwig infestation. The following actions can be taken to prevent and minimize smaller infestations.

While there are some things you can do at home to prevent earwigs, your best bet is to hire a pest control professional to spray your yard and house to get rid of the majority of the infestation. You can take precautions at home after your earwigs have been attacked once to prevent them from coming back.

What is earwigs' adversary?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What is earwigs’ adversary?

Remove refuge areas for earwigs, such as ivy, weeds, garbage piles, and leaves, to supplement the trapping program. Vegetable gardens shouldn’t be placed close to dense ground cover, like ivy. Mulches should be avoided as earwigs frequently live there. In some gardens, natural enemies such as toads, birds, and other predators may play a significant role. Many earwigs will be eaten by chickens and ducks.

For fruit trees, keep suckers, weeds, and brush away from the base of the trunk all year long because this growth serves as a haven for earwigs. At the base of trees, place folded newspapers or burlap bags to keep an eye on the population. Carefully remove any loose bark from the lower trunks of older fruit trees. Tanglefoot, a gooey substance that can be used on trunks to deter earwigs from scaling them to reach stone fruit that is ripening, works to keep earwigs from doing this. Earwigs can be kept from turning into pests by maintaining fruit trees with proper pruning, thinning heavy crops, and picking fruit as soon as it ripens. Unless the tree produces soft fruit, it isn’t always advised to keep earwigs out because they can be useful in trees when they are eating aphids.

In situations where insecticides are desired, those containing spinosad (e. g. SluggoPlus baits or spinosad sprays) are the most efficient, environmentally friendly products. But when there are other tasty food sources nearby, baits frequently don’t work very well. Before plants become infected, place baits around them to prevent infestation. You can also place baits near the house’s foundation, where earwigs might be entering. The bait may become softer and more alluring if it is dampened after application. Baits are unlikely to solve the issue once earwigs are in vulnerable plants or in fruit trees with ripening fruit. Although there are other, more harmful insecticides available, such as carbaryl*, they are typically not required if the cultural practices mentioned above are followed.

What odor irritates earwigs the most?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What odor irritates earwigs the most?

Earwigs do not like certain essential oils’ scents. Basil, peppermint, eucalyptus, and cinnamon are some of the best scents to deter earwigs. Simply add a few drops of essential oil to some water to dilute it before diffusing these scents throughout your home.

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Chelsea Vaughn

Chelsea is a former marine biologist who switched gears in her twenties to build a small house and start a business. She enjoys traveling and going on hiking adventures with her husband, their two Australian Shepherds and their African Grey Parrot.

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10 comments

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  • Now I don’t feel so bad. All my plants with a few exceptions died. I pulled them and they had almost no roots! It was those grubs. Didn’t figure that out until this summer as I was tilling the soil to prepare for cold weather veg. There are at least 100+ in a small raised bed. Those are the ones I have found, digging by hand. My chickens LOVED them. I will try your suggestions. Thank you so much! So milky spores AND corn meal. And a Japanese beetle trap on the other side of the yard. Thanks again for the lovely article! New sub!

  • You are awesome and I find all your articles very helpful. (You do speak a bit fast though – constructive idea from an actress) How much cornmeal should I use in the garden? It is just a flower garden and their under the grass as well? How far do they travel and how fast? In other words, how far away from the garden should I put the milky spores or cornmeal? Also, you didn’t mention how to apply the milky spores. Can you please add that info and demonstrate? Thanks so much

  • Best to use until the milky spore takes hold is to generously work sand into soil at roots . Sand sticks on the goo of their bodies and they get stuck and fade away. Also saucers of beer. They love it, get into the beer and explode! Works but is expensive, you go through a lot of beer to kill a few grubs..

  • Hi, what if there is a lot of grubs, like deep in the soil, how will corn meal be applied best so it kills them ? It’s my first 3 months gardening and it’s really sad that I thought those grubs were beneficial for the garden so I didn’t do anything about it . I’m so close to giving up because of aphids and grubs 😭😭😢😢😢😩😩💔💔💔 help me !! Please ! 🌿😭😭

  • This a Great article ! Now, on to moles and Voles please ? I don’t have $$$ . I planted a pretty flower bed both,shady and sun loving . Both looked like a cemetary the following spring . I touched each one and they all fell over both bushes and perennials without any root systems at all ! Any help,I would appreciate . I’ve educated myself well but but the cost is immense . Thank you .I am in Zone 5 It is November 15, 2021 . I’m praying for a few good days and your instructions Sir .?

  • I had an infestation of grubs, about, 25 per square foot, and my garden was already growing real good. I went to the feed store and got diatomatious earth and sprinkled it like lime 3 times over the affected area. I didn’t care about the worms!!! It got rid of them all and I never had 1 Japanese beetle. When I dug up soil, the were little hard flat boomerangs. I had plenty of worms. I also last year had an infestation of fungus gnats in my indoor garden that ruined my whole season, this year, I’m not stressing because I put D.E. over the top, and it kills them off, plus any earth worms I have gets niellated as well. HA HA HA!!!

  • Super good article- tons of facts, good graphics, clear sound; good speaker. Here’s the million dollar question, though- what do these chemicals do to the river when they wash off my lawn, into the storm drain, and straight into the river where I fish and from where my tap water comes? I LOVE green 1980s- looking lawns. LOVE them. But I am beginning to question how practical they are from a stand point of “hey, HOW much time and money does this take to maintain?” “What EXACTLY is the environmental impact of my dream lawn?” Again, great article, REALLY good, and it has opened my understanding of grubs. If someone can tell me that somehow these chemicals aren’t degrading water quality and ecosystems, I can maybe press the “i believe button.” I WANT a good lawn. Based on this article, and a couple others, I KNOW what the problem is now- it’s june bug larvae. THAT”S the problem. But man, I’m going to inject WHAT into the ground?

  • Starlings, crows, sparrows, grackles, and robins feed on those grubs. Will the pesticide you recommend harm these birds? Milky Spores will not harm birds or earth worms, but will kill the grubs within three weeks. Plus, once milky spores are applied to soil, then the milky spores are a permanent friendly addition to the soil; so you need only apply milky spores once to your soil for many years of protection.

  • All this talk about lawns. All this talk about late summer. To heck with that. It’s only a partial story. Grubs invade my garden here in Miami during May every year. Absolutely relentless on plants and small vulnerable trees. They killed a newly transplanted tibouchina granulosa tree 3 years ago before I realized what was going on. I replanted that same type tree recently and now the grubs are at it again, even though I’ve used many preventive measures like milky spore and the touted Dominion 2L. I hope I caught it early enough this time. Down at the roots it’s wall to wall grubs.

  • I was actually growing these kind of grubs on purpose on a big pot. i was feeding them Korn and fruits to get them to mature into green beetles, I put a screen around so I can keep the beetles as pets… this morning I went to check on them on my patio and it was like a crime scene. The raccoons ate all of them, dirt everywhere and I checked to see if any of the beetles were left but no only one bitten in half.