Why Earwigs Are Invading Your Home (And What to Do About It)

If you’ve spotted one earwig inside your home, chances are it’s not alone. While earwigs don’t cause structural damage like termites or chew wiring like rodents, they’re still an unwelcome guest — especially when you find them crawling across countertops, hiding in bathrooms, or scurrying along the floor at night.

At Sasquatch Pest Control, we get a lot of calls every summer asking, “Why do I suddenly have earwigs in my house?” Let’s break it down — and more importantly, talk about how to stop the invasion.

Why earwigs come indoors

Earwigs are mostly outdoor insects, but your home can accidentally become the perfect hideout. Here’s what attracts them.

1. They’re looking for food

Earwigs aren’t picky eaters. Outside, they feed on decaying leaves, moist vegetation, garden plants, and fallen fruit. Inside your home, crumbs, spilled food, garbage residue, and even pet food can keep them well-fed.

Even tiny food sources — like what’s under your stove or tucked behind cabinets — are enough to sustain them.

2. They’re seeking shelter

Earwigs are nocturnal and hide during the day. When outdoor conditions become uncomfortable — whether it’s extreme heat, cold snaps, or dry weather — they look for safer ground. Unfortunately, that can mean your home.

They commonly gather near:

• Doors and windows
• Bathrooms and kitchens
• Basements and crawl spaces
• Storage areas with clutter

Because earwigs can squeeze through extremely small gaps, even minor cracks around doors, siding, or foundations can give them easy access.

3. They need moisture

Moisture is one of the biggest reasons earwigs move inside. In nature, they thrive in damp soil and rotting leaves. Inside, they’re drawn to:

• Leaky plumbing
• Damp basements
• Crawl spaces
• Areas under sinks
• Wet cardboard or stored boxes

If your home offers moisture and cover, earwigs can settle in quickly.

How earwigs get inside in the first place

Earwigs don’t just “appear” — they find their way in through:

• Poorly sealed doors and windows
• Gaps where siding meets the foundation
• Unscreened attic or foundation vents
• Crawl space access doors

They’re also commonly brought inside by accident. Earwigs can hitch a ride in:

• Cardboard boxes stored in damp garages
• Firewood or lumber
• Potted plants, especially between the pot and the saucer
• Stored newspapers or clutter

Outdoor lighting can also draw them closer to your home, increasing the chances they find an entry point.

What you can do to reduce earwigs

For light activity, homeowners can take a few steps to make their home less inviting.

Vacuum frequently

Vacuuming removes both earwigs and their food sources. Pay close attention to baseboards, corners, bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

Reduce moisture

Use dehumidifiers or fans in damp areas. Fix leaks promptly and avoid storing wet or damp items indoors.

Seal entry points

Caulk cracks around windows and doors, repair damaged weather stripping, and make sure vents are properly screened.

These steps help — but they often don’t clear the problem entirely, because the earwigs are still living in the damp ground and mulch just outside the wall.

When it’s time to call a professional

If earwigs keep coming back or you’re seeing them in multiple areas of your home, it’s worth bringing in help. A professional treatment targets:

• The damp outdoor harborage the earwigs are actually living in
• Mulch beds, leaf litter and ground cover against the foundation
• Entry points around the perimeter of the home
• The population already inside

At Sasquatch Pest Control, we don’t just treat the insects you see — we go after the ones you don’t, out in the mulch and the soil where they spend the day. Our targeted treatments reduce earwig numbers at the source and help keep them from working their way back in.

No matter your pest problems, we Squatch your back.

Need help with earwigs?

If earwigs are invading your home in Bellingham or anywhere in Whatcom County, give us a call. We’ll come out and take a look, treat your property, and help you take back your space.