Safety Products

Please be sure to read the product label of any insecticide you choose to use to get information on the personal protective safety gear you will need. In most situations, it is recommended that you wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, closed toe shoes with socks, chemical resistant gloves, and goggles. In areas where ventilation is poor, a manufacturer may recommend you wear a mask or a respirator. We have put together two different safety kits that will make selecting the correct safety gear easier for you.

Getting Rid of Earwigs

By DoMyOwn staff

In Earwig management, it is important to use both chemical and non-chemical methods for total control. While pesticide application will go a long way to reduce populations, total population control can only be achieved by also eliminating existing conditions that support the infestation.


Step 1)
Non-chemical Earwig Control

Nonchemical methods for earwig control are:

  • Physical Removal- For heavier infestations, large numbers of earwigs may be removed using a vacuum. After removal, the vacuum bag should be sealed in a plastic bag and discarded.

  • Harborage Removal- Harborage removal is key to lasting earwig control. This includes eliminating piles of lumber, bricks, and other stacked items that create clusters of tight spaces, elimination of vegetation and other heavy ground coverings near homes and buildings, trimming back tree and shrub limbs from walls and roof, and keeping gutters clear of leaves and other debris.

  • Managment of Excess Moisture- Earwigs and other pests thrive on excess moisture. Foundation moisture can by minimized by adjusting the direction of irrigation sprinklers, and watering in the morning rather than the evening so that the sun can dry vegetation quickly. Attics and crawlspaces should be properly ventilated.

  • Exterior Lighting Modification- Using yellow "bug light" bulbs or sodium exterior lights on the outside of a structure may reduce the numbers of earwigs attracted to a structure.

  • Exclusion- Earwigs and other pests can be kept out of structures to a large degree by installing tight-fitting screens, weatherstripping around doors and windows, and caulking cracks and crevices.

  • Traps- Sometimes a rolled newspaper placed in a dark corner during the night can take advantage of the earwig's tendency to crawl into cracks and crevices. The newspaper can then be shaken in the morning over a pail of soapy water. Insect Glue Boards may also be used in areas where earwigs travel.

 

Step 2) Chemical Earwig Control

The most effective chemical control method for Earwig control is to apply a perimeter treatment both inside and outside the infested structure.

  • First, apply a residual pesticide labeled for earwigs ( Demon WP Insecticide or Suspend SC both provide excellent results) with a Gallon Sprayer around the entire outdoor perimeter and indoor along baseboards.

  • Next, using a Hand Duster, apply waterproof residual Delta Dust Insecticide (lasts up to 8 months) underneath baseboards, inside of cracks and crevices, and behind cabinets.

  • Cy-Kick may also be used and kept on hand for contact kill when earwigs are spotted on countertops or walls. This aerosol product may also be used around window and door frames (providing a 4 to 6 week residual).

 

View all of our Earwig Control Products


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Earwig Identification & Biology

 

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