Even though earwigs aren’t particularly dangerous, they’re definitely not guests I want hanging around my home.
This year, they seem to be everywhere—I’ve been spotting far more of them in the garden than usual. If you’ve noticed earwigs creeping around your yard or patio, this quick and easy trick might be just what you need.
Alicia Alexander shared on Facebook that she managed to trap a surprising number of earwigs in her backyard using nothing more than a shallow bowl and some olive oil. She poured about half a cup of olive oil into the bowl and set it out in her garden.
In less than a day, the bowl had already collected a significant number of earwigs. And by the 36-hour mark? Even more had fallen in.
Pretty crazy, right? For some reason, earwigs seem drawn to the olive oil. They climb in—but once inside, they can’t seem to get back out.
While earwig sightings are increasing overall, their presence around your home might be a sign of a deeper issue—namely, rotting wood. Like many pests, earwigs are often attracted to decaying or damp wood. So, it’s a smart move to inspect your home’s foundation, wooden decks, or porches to check for signs of moisture or decay.
If earwigs have been spoiling your outdoor plans, this simple little olive oil trick could be just the solution you’ve been looking for.