Earwigs are one of those pests that seem to appear out of nowhere, especially during the warmer months. Known for their pincers and tendency to hide in dark, moist places, these tiny invaders can be quite the nuisance. Whether they’re in your garden or have found their way inside your home, dealing with earwigs can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Fortunately, there’s a simple trick that my dad taught me which can halt these critters in their tracks with almost no effort. This method is not only quick and effective, but also requires materials you likely already have at home. In just one minute, you can set up a trap that will make your earwig problem a thing of the past. Here’s how it works.
1. The Surprising Backyard Trick My Dad Swore By
My dad always had a knack for simple, ingenious solutions to everyday problems. His method for dealing with earwigs was no exception. The trick involves creating a simple trap using household items: a shallow dish filled with a mixture of soy sauce and vegetable oil. The soy sauce acts as an attractant due to its salty, umami flavor, which earwigs find irresistible. The vegetable oil, on the other hand, creates a slippery surface that traps the earwigs once they enter.
The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. By placing these traps around your home or garden, you can significantly reduce the earwig population without the need for harsh chemicals or expensive pest control services. This method is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly.
2. Why Earwigs Invade Your Home in the First Place
Earwigs are nocturnal creatures that prefer dark, damp environments. They often invade homes in search of food, moisture, and shelter. Common entry points include cracks in the foundation, gaps around windows and doors, and other small openings that provide access to the home’s interior.
In addition to seeking shelter, earwigs are attracted to areas with abundant plant material, such as gardens and compost piles. They feed on decaying organic matter, as well as living plants, which makes them a common pest in gardens. Understanding why earwigs invade your home is the first step in preventing their entry and addressing the problem effectively.
3. The One-Minute Setup: What You Need on Hand
Setting up the earwig trap is incredibly straightforward and requires only a few common household items. You will need a small, shallow dish or container, soy sauce, and vegetable oil. These items are typically easy to find in your kitchen pantry, making this method both convenient and accessible.
Once you have gathered your supplies, the setup takes less than a minute. Simply pour equal parts soy sauce and vegetable oil into the dish, ensuring there is enough liquid to submerge the earwigs. The combination of these two ingredients creates an alluring and effective trap that earwigs cannot resist.
4. Step 1: Pick the Perfect Earwig Hotspot
To maximize the effectiveness of your trap, it’s important to place it in an area where earwigs are most likely to be found. Look for dark, damp locations such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens inside your home. Outdoors, consider placing traps near garden beds, under mulch, or around compost piles where earwigs are known to congregate.
By identifying these hotspots, you can strategically position your traps to intercept earwigs as they move about in search of food and moisture. This targeted approach increases the likelihood of capturing a large number of earwigs and resolving your infestation quickly.
5. Step 2: Prepare the Simple Attract-and-Trap Mix
Preparing the attract-and-trap mix is a straightforward process. Begin by taking your shallow dish and pouring in equal parts of soy sauce and vegetable oil. For most small dishes, 1 tablespoon of each ingredient will suffice. Stir the mixture gently to combine, ensuring that the soy sauce is evenly distributed within the oil.
The soy sauce provides a strong scent that lures the earwigs to the trap, while the oil creates a slippery surface that prevents their escape. The earwigs are naturally drawn to the soy sauce, but once they crawl into the mixture, they become trapped in the viscous oil.
6. Step 3: Position the Trap for Maximum Impact
Once your trap is prepared, it’s time to position it for maximum impact. Place the dish in one of the identified earwig hotspots, ensuring that it is on a flat, stable surface. If you’re setting the trap outdoors, make sure it is protected from rain and wind to prevent the mixture from spilling or becoming diluted.
It’s also a good idea to place multiple traps in different locations to cover a wider area. This increases the chances of capturing more earwigs and provides a more comprehensive solution to your pest problem.
7. How the Trick Works on Earwig Behavior Instantly
The effectiveness of this trick lies in its ability to exploit the natural behaviors and preferences of earwigs. Earwigs are attracted to the savory scent of soy sauce, mistaking it for a potential food source. Once they enter the trap, the oil prevents them from escaping, effectively immobilizing them.
This method works instantly because it capitalizes on the earwig’s instinctual drive to seek out food and moisture. By offering an enticing bait and an inescapable trap, you can quickly reduce the number of earwigs in your home or garden without the need for more aggressive measures.
8. Zero-Effort Maintenance: Set It and Forget It
One of the greatest advantages of this earwig trap is its low-maintenance nature. Once the traps are set, they require little to no additional effort. Simply check the traps every few days to see how many earwigs have been captured and dispose of them accordingly.
If the trap becomes full or the mixture appears diluted, simply refresh the soy sauce and oil to maintain its effectiveness. This easy upkeep ensures that your traps remain functional over time and continue to provide long-term earwig control.
9. Safe for Pets, Kids, and Plants—When Done Right
This earwig trap is generally safe for use around pets, children, and plants, provided that it is placed in a secure location. The ingredients used, soy sauce and vegetable oil, are non-toxic and pose minimal risk to humans and animals.
However, it is important to ensure that the traps are placed out of reach of small children and curious pets to avoid accidental spills. When used outdoors, position the traps away from edible plants to prevent any potential contamination.
10. Common Mistakes That Make the Trick Less Effective
While this method is simple and effective, there are a few common mistakes that can reduce its success. One mistake is using too much soy sauce in relation to the oil, which can result in earwigs escaping before becoming fully trapped.
Another mistake is placing the traps in areas that are not frequented by earwigs, which will naturally yield fewer results. It’s also important to protect outdoor traps from the elements, as rain or strong winds can quickly render the traps ineffective. Ensuring that you avoid these pitfalls will maximize the success of your earwig control efforts.
11. When to Use This Hack Versus Calling Pest Control
This earwig trap method is an excellent first line of defense for minor to moderate infestations. It is cost-effective, easy to implement, and can be done without professional assistance. However, if you are dealing with a severe infestation that does not respond to this method, it may be time to call in pest control professionals.
Pest control services can provide more aggressive treatments and identify the root cause of the infestation, preventing future problems. Use this hack as a preventative measure or for small infestations, and seek professional help for larger, more persistent issues.
12. Bonus Viral Hacks That Boost Your Earwig Defense
In addition to the soy sauce and oil trap, there are other viral hacks that can further enhance your earwig defense. One popular method is using diatomaceous earth, a natural powder that dehydrates and kills earwigs upon contact. Sprinkle it around entry points and in garden beds for added protection
Another effective hack is using rolled-up newspaper or cardboard tubes as traps. Place these in earwig-prone areas overnight and dispose of them in the morning. Earwigs will seek shelter inside the dark, humid spaces, allowing for easy removal and disposal. Combining these methods with the soy sauce and oil trap provides a multi-faceted approach to earwig control.
