Earwigs - Knowledgebase Question - Garden.org

Raleigh, NC

Question by susanwilke
April 25, 2007

I have what I believe are Earwigs that have invaded a sandbox and toyboxes in our backyard area. Both boxes sit on mulch and the sandbox is somewhat damp. Is there any harm to my children and is there any control method I can use that isn't harmful to children? Thanks.

Answer from NGA
April 25, 2007

0	Earwigs are not a hazard to your children but I don't blame you for wanting to get them out of the sand box! I've found that the most effective way to remove them is simply to roll a few sheets of newspaper into a tube, get it damp and then set it (or several of them) on top of the sand in the sand box. Do this in the evening. Overnight the earwigs will discover the tubes and crawl into them to hide. Early in the morning you can collect the newspaper tubes (I simply fold up the ends so the critters are trapped), pop them into plastic bags, seal them and then throw them in the trash. Do this several nights in a row - until you're no longer finding earwigs in the newspaper tubes. Best wishes with your project!

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