While earwigs are generally harmless to humans, they’re definitely not something most people want to find lurking in or around their homes. Despite their scary appearance, earwigs don’t pose much of a threat, but their presence is still unsettling. This year, it feels like earwigs are popping up more than usual. I’ve been seeing significantly more of them in my garden and outdoor spaces compared to previous years, and it seems like I’m not the only one. Many people have been reporting the same thing — earwigs are becoming an unexpected nuisance. If you’ve started to notice these little critters hanging around your house, your patio, or your garden beds, don’t worry. There’s a simple, affordable, and highly effective trick you can try to get them under control without using harsh chemicals or expensive pest control services.
This clever hack was shared by a Facebook user named Alicia Alexander, who explained how she managed to eliminate a surprising number of earwigs from her backyard with just one easy setup. Alicia didn’t need any complicated traps, sprays, or gadgets. Instead, she used something that’s already a staple in most kitchens: olive oil. Here’s exactly how she did it so you can try it out too. First, Alicia took a shallow bowl — you can use any kind of small, low-sided dish — and poured about half a cup of olive oil into it. That’s it. No mixing, no extra ingredients. Then, she simply placed the bowl outside, setting it somewhere in her garden where she had seen a lot of earwig activity. You could also place it on your deck, patio, or any other outdoor area where you’ve noticed these insects hanging around.
What happened next was pretty astonishing. After just 24 hours, Alicia checked the bowl and was shocked to see how many earwigs had fallen into it. The bowl was full of them! It turns out, earwigs are attracted to the scent and texture of the oil. When they climb in, they become trapped because the slippery surface prevents them from climbing back out. It’s a quick, humane, and chemical-free way to reduce their numbers dramatically in a short period of time. But the results didn’t stop there. Alicia left the bowl out for a little longer, curious to see how effective it could really be. After about 36 hours, she returned to find an even larger number of earwigs had collected in the bowl. It was amazing how such a simple trick had managed to catch so many insects without any effort at all.
If you’re thinking about trying this method, there are a few tips that might help you get the best results. First, make sure to use a shallow bowl. Deep containers won’t work as well because earwigs might not be able to get in easily. A low, wide dish gives them easy access. Second, placement matters. Set the bowl in areas where you’ve seen the most earwig activity. Gardens, flower beds, and shaded spots near the foundation of your home are common hiding places for these bugs. Third, keep in mind that the oil will eventually collect dust, dirt, and debris, so you might want to replace it every couple of days if you’re dealing with a big infestation. It’s also a good idea to keep pets away from the bowl to ensure they don’t accidentally drink the oil or disturb the trap.
Another important note is that although olive oil works wonderfully, you don’t necessarily have to use your expensive, high-quality cooking oil for this purpose. A cheaper olive oil or even vegetable oil will work just as well. The key is the oily, slippery surface that traps the earwigs once they come into contact with it. Some people have also experimented with adding a few drops of soy sauce to the oil to make it even more attractive to the insects, although Alicia’s original method was effective with just plain olive oil.
Many people who have tried this hack have been amazed by how well it works. It’s a fantastic option if you prefer natural solutions over chemical pesticides, especially if you have kids or pets and want to keep your outdoor spaces safe. Plus, it’s incredibly low-effort. You don’t have to check it constantly, spray anything, or set up complicated traps. Just pour, place, and wait. Nature does the rest.
If you’re wondering why earwigs are so plentiful this year, you’re not alone. Experts suggest that weather patterns, such as a particularly wet spring followed by warm temperatures, can create ideal conditions for earwigs to thrive. Gardens full of moisture and shelter become perfect breeding grounds. Unfortunately, once earwigs establish themselves, they can be tricky to get rid of because they’re nocturnal and excellent at hiding during the day. That’s why passive traps like the olive oil bowl can be so effective — they work around the clock without any extra effort from you.
In addition to using the olive oil method, you can also take a few preventive steps to make your home and garden less inviting to earwigs. Try to remove piles of leaves, mulch, or other organic material where they can hide. Keep gutters clean and fix any areas where water pools around your home’s foundation. Reducing moisture and clutter outside will make your property less appealing to them. Sealing cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and the foundation can also help prevent earwigs from sneaking inside.
At the end of the day, earwigs aren’t the worst pest you could have — they don’t cause major damage, and they’re not dangerous to humans or pets. However, they are creepy, and no one wants to find them crawling around. Thanks to Alicia Alexander’s easy olive oil trick, you now have a powerful tool to tackle the problem naturally and effectively. So if you’re spotting more earwigs than usual this year, give this method a try. It’s cheap, safe, and best of all, it really works!
