Earwigs are outdoor insects that can occasionally migrate indoors. They have elongated brown or black bodies and pincers at the rear of their bodies. They prefer to feed on soft-bellied insects, but will also eat vegetation. They are not harmful to humans, even though their long pincers may make them look fierce, and can give a little pinch if feeling threatened.http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/earwig.html If you are overrun with these pesky creatures, the information on this page can help you to learn more about how to get rid of earwigs.

Earwigs can be useful in the garden, where they consume the eggs of snails and slugs. If the ecosystem is out of balance, however, with too many earwigs competing for too little food, they will also devour tender young plants, or migrate indoors looking to feast on spiders or cockroaches. Once the earwigs have migrated indoors, it is time to take swift action.

The first steps involved in controlling the indoor earwig population is to secure the entrances into the home and bring the garden population under control. There are several all-natural methods, such as homemade traps, that can be applied. These directions below will guide you through the process and provide some different treatment options, depending on the severity of your infestation.

The best way to eliminate earwigs inside your house is to prevent them from getting inside in the first place. Vigilance around the home is the key toward preventing and correcting an infestation.

1. Earwigs gravitate to moist areas, so make sure the area around your foundation is well drained.http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-earwigs.htm
2. Repair any holes in window screens and make sure that the screens fit tightly.
3. Seal any cracks around doors and door frames.http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-earwigs.htm
4. Spread boric acid along baseboards and other potential entryways.

There are natural methods you can use to reduce an out of control earwig population in your garden.

1. Earwigs tend to seek out dark, damp places to sleep; you can take advantage of this to eliminate colonies that are out of control.
2. Search out and remove damp, dark hiding places such as leaf debris, wood piles, upturned pots and stepping stones.http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-ear-wigs/
3. Provide your own hiding places by dampening newspaper, rolling it up, and placing them outside each afternoon. Return in the morning and dispose of them in a tightly closed paper bag.
4. As your earwig population comes under control, you'll find fewer in the newspapers each morning.
5. Make your yard bird friendly by setting out feeders and nesting materials. Birds will consume earwigs.http://dkmommyspot.com/how-to-get-rid-of-earwigs-naturally/
6. Place saucers containing a 1/2 inch of vegetable oil around the garden. Earwigs will climb in and die.http://dkmommyspot.com/how-to-get-rid-of-earwigs-naturally/

• Boric acid powder, insecticide dusts, and other earwig powders and dusts containing pyrethrins can be used to kill earwigs both indoors and outdoors. Use them carefully, as some may be toxic to humans, pets and most beneficial insects. Sprays are usually not as effective as residual granules and dusts.

• If you are tormented indoors and out by earwigs, seal up your home and try a natural approach in your garden first. If this doesn't work, consider insecticides, but carefully read the directions on the package before using.