There are several ways to kill earwigs, including:
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Boric acid powder and diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle these substances in your garden or anywhere you think earwigs are present to kill them.
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Alcohol and water mixture: Mix equal parts of 70 percent rubbing alcohol and water and spray it on earwigs to kill them on contact.
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Earwig traps: Roll or crumple up a few pages of slightly moist newspaper and put them around your garden after dark. The next day, put all the papers into an empty bucket and drown the earwigs by filling the bucket with hot soapy water. Alternatively, mix olive oil and soy sauce in a small container and put it where earwigs can smell it. The earwigs will climb in and drown, unable to escape the oil.
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Insecticides: An effective insecticide should contain sevin, malathion, or pyrethrins, but if you’re using it indoors, make certain the labeling of the package says it’s safe to do so. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and if you’re using it on or around plants, make sure to test a small amount of it on a single leaf first.
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Dishwashing soap and water: Mix dishwashing soap and water, and spray areas where earwigs hang out.
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Professional pest control: If DIY methods fail, you can always call a pest control company. Professional technicians will have the right products, equipment, and training to kill earwigs in even the smallest hiding places.
