Why Do I Have Earwigs in My Apartment?

Damp Areas

• Earwigs thrive in moist, damp areas that are dark and cool. Earwigs usually hide during the day, so they might take shelter in a dark, cool place in your apartment, like the bathroom or the basement, if your unit has one. If you have houseplants, earwigs might seek shelter in the soil or underneath a pot. If you recently moved into your apartment and have old boxes laying around, check them to make sure they aren't damp and harboring insects. Clean damp areas regularly and place a dehumidifier in the apartment to eliminate any excess moisture. Earwigs will find another place to call home if the cool, damp areas in your apartment are dry.

Cracks

• When it's raining, snowing or very sunny outside, earwigs could take up shelter in your apartment through cracks in the wall, ceiling or around the windows. If you have a loose window screen, earwigs could also enter the home through this small opening. Seal up any cracks with caulk to prevent more earwigs from entering your home. Replace window screens and caulk around windows to keep earwigs out.

Loose Floorboards

• The area under a loose floorboard is an ideal hiding place for an earwig, because it's dark, quiet and rarely disturbed. Examine your floor for loose floorboards by walking across it with shoes on -- if you hear any creaking, attempt to lift each corner to see if the floorboard comes up. Clean thoroughly underneath the floorboard, then secure it with nails or glue to keep earwigs from making your floor a permanent home.

Vegetation Around Apartment

• Earwigs are attracted to plants and tall grasses outside because the vegetation provides a damp, cool place to hide. If vegetation such as flowers, bushes, ivy, vines or tall grasses touch any of your exterior apartment walls, trim these areas back from the walls or contact your maintenance department to do so. Make sure that decaying material such as leaf piles and compost heaps are also kept far away from the exterior walls. This will help keep earwigs from seeking shelter around your home, and finding their way into your apartment.