Although earwigs are mostly harmless insects, they’re not exactly welcome guests in or around the home. With their long, slender bodies and distinctive pincers, they can look intimidating, especially when they appear in large numbers. Many people have noticed an increase in earwig activity during warmer and wetter seasons, particularly in gardens, patios, and damp outdoor areas. While they don’t typically pose a danger to humans, their presence can quickly become a nuisance, especially when they begin to gather near entryways or sneak indoors. If you’ve been spotting more of them than usual, you’re not alone—and fortunately, there are simple ways to manage the problem effectively.

Earwigs are attracted to moisture, darkness, and shelter, which is why they tend to gather under flower pots, in mulch, or along the edges of decks and foundations. During the day, they hide in cool, damp places, and at night they come out to feed on plants, organic debris, and sometimes even other insects. While they can actually be beneficial in small numbers by helping control pests, a larger infestation can lead to damage in gardens and create an uncomfortable environment around your home. That’s when it becomes important to take steps to reduce their population in a safe and practical way.

One surprisingly simple and effective method involves using a common household ingredient: olive oil. This technique gained attention after a social media user, Alicia Alexander, shared her experience of eliminating a significant number of earwigs using nothing more than a shallow bowl and some oil. The idea is straightforward and requires very little effort, making it an appealing solution for homeowners looking for a natural and low-cost remedy. Unlike chemical pesticides, this approach is easy to set up and avoids introducing potentially harmful substances into your outdoor space.

To try this method, all you need to do is pour about half a cup of olive oil into a shallow container, such as a small bowl or dish. Place the container in areas where you’ve noticed earwig activity—this could be in your garden, on a patio, or near the foundation of your home. The oil acts as both an attractant and a trap. Earwigs are drawn to it, likely because it provides a sheltered, appealing surface, and once they enter the bowl, they are unable to escape due to the slippery texture of the oil. This creates a simple but effective trapping mechanism that works continuously without any additional effort.

Within less than 24 hours, many people report seeing noticeable results, with numerous earwigs collected in the bowl. After 36 hours, the number can increase even further, demonstrating just how active these insects can be and how effective the trap is at capturing them. The visual impact alone can be surprising, especially if you didn’t realize how many earwigs were present in the area. Regularly checking and refreshing the oil ensures the trap continues to work efficiently, helping to gradually reduce the overall population around your home.

While this olive oil trap is highly effective, it works best when combined with a few preventive measures. Reducing excess moisture, removing debris, and sealing small cracks or gaps around your home can make the environment less inviting for earwigs in the first place. By combining this simple hack with good outdoor maintenance habits, you can keep earwig numbers under control and enjoy a more comfortable, pest-free space. In the end, it’s a reminder that sometimes the simplest solutions—using items you already have at home—can be surprisingly powerful.

And after 36 hours, this is how many earwigs they had!