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You can get rid of earwigs on basil by using a combination of natural deterrents, traps, and physical removal methods that are safe for your edible herbs.
Getting rid of earwigs on basil doesn’t have to involve harsh chemicals that ruin your harvest.
These little pests, with their pincers and nocturnal habits, love hiding in the cool, damp crevices of your basil plants, especially where leaves touch the soil.
If you’ve spotted chewed, ragged holes in your basil leaves or noticed those distinctive dark droppings, you’re dealing with earwigs on basil and you need a plan.
In this post, we’ll dig into why earwigs are attracted to basil, the most effective ways to get rid of earwigs on basil, and how to prevent them from coming back.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and reclaim your herb garden.
Why Earwigs Love Your Basil Plants
Earwigs are drawn to basil for a few simple reasons that you can control once you know them.
Understanding these triggers is the first step to getting rid of earwigs on basil for good.
1. Moisture and Shade Are Like a Five-Star Hotel
Earwigs are moisture lovers, and basil plants, especially when watered heavily or mulched, create the perfect damp environment.
They hide during the day in dark, wet spots, and the dense lower leaves of your basil provide exactly that.
If you want to get rid of earwigs on basil, reducing that moisture is non-negotiable.
2. They’re Mostly Scavengers, Not Just Leaf Eaters
While earwigs on basil will chew holes in the leaves, they’re also after the tiny insects and organic matter hiding in the soil.
So your basil patch isn’t just a salad bar for them; it’s a full buffet.
This scavenging habit means you need to clean up debris and fallen leaves to remove their food sources.
3. Nighttime Is When The Damage Happens
Earwigs are nocturnal, so you might not see them during the day.
But come nightfall, they climb up your basil stems to feed, leaving those telltale irregular holes.
Knowing their schedule is key when you’re working to get rid of earwigs on basil, since you’ll be setting traps for the evening.
The Best Ways To Get Rid Of Earwigs On Basil
Now that you know why they’re there, let’s get to the hands-on part of actually getting rid of earwigs on basil.
These methods are simple, affordable, and completely safe for your edible leaves.
1. The Classic Rolled-Up Newspaper Trap
This is the most effective low-tech way to get rid of earwigs on basil that I’ve used in my own garden.
Take a damp newspaper, roll it up, and secure it with a rubber band.
Place these rolls near your basil plants right before sunset.
In the morning, earwigs will have crawled inside for the damp darkness, and you can simply shake them into a bucket of soapy water.
This won’t eliminate every single pest, but it will dramatically reduce the population and help you get rid of earwigs on basil quickly.
2. Soy Sauce and Oil Pitfall Traps
If you want a more direct trap to get rid of earwigs on basil, this one is practically magic.
In a small shallow container, mix one part soy sauce with one part vegetable oil.
Bury the container so the rim is level with the soil, right next to your basil.
Earwigs are attracted to the soy sauce, and once they fall in, the oil traps them so they can’t escape.
Empty and refresh these traps every couple of days to keep the scent strong and consistently get rid of earwigs on basil.
3. Diatomaceous Earth As A Barrier
Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fantastic powder that helps you get rid of earwigs on basil without any chemicals.
Sprinkle a thin layer of DE around the base of each basil plant and on the soil surface.
The microscopic sharp edges in the powder cut the earwigs’ exoskeletons as they crawl over it, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Just make sure to reapply DE after rain or heavy watering, since it only works when it’s dry.
4. Handpicking With A Flashlight
If you want immediate results to get rid of earwigs on basil, grab a flashlight and go out about two hours after sunset.
You’ll find earwigs munching on your basil leaves, and you can just pick them off and drop them in soapy water.
It sounds a bit tedious, but it’s incredibly effective and only takes a few minutes a night.
After a week of this, you’ll notice a massive drop in the number of earwigs on basil.
Natural Deterrents To Keep Earwigs Off Basil
Beyond trapping and killing, you can make your basil plants unappealing so you don’t have to worry about earwigs on basil in the first place.
These deterrents are long-term solutions that work with your garden’s ecosystem.
1. Neem Oil Spray For Basil Leaves
Neem oil is a gardener’s best friend, and it works wonders when you want to get rid of earwigs on basil.
Mix a teaspoon of pure neem oil with a few drops of dish soap and a quart of warm water.
Spray the basil leaves thoroughly, especially the undersides where earwigs like to hide.
Neem oil doesn’t kill instantly, but it disrupts their feeding and molting, slowly reducing the population.
It also leaves a bitter residue that deters earwigs on basil from taking another bite.
2. Move The Mulch Away From The Stems
Earwigs on basil are usually hiding in the mulch or leaf litter around the base.
Pull the mulch back so there’s a bare ring of soil around each basil stem.
This removes their favorite hiding spot and makes the area less inviting.
By exposing the soil to air, you also dry it out, which helps you get rid of earwigs on basil naturally.
3. Citrus Peels As A Safe Repellent
Earwigs hate the smell of citrus, so you can use that to your advantage when trying to get rid of earwigs on basil.
Scatter fresh orange or lemon peels around the perimeter of your basil bed.
As the peels dry out, they release oils that confuse and repel earwigs.
You’ll still need other methods, but this is a great extra layer of protection to keep earwigs on basil in check.
Preventing Earwigs On Basil From Coming Back
Once you’ve managed to get rid of earwigs on basil, the last thing you want is a second invasion.
Prevention is all about changing the environment so it’s no longer earwig-friendly.
1. Water In The Morning, Not At Night
Watering in the evening leaves the soil and leaves damp all night, which is exactly what earwigs want.
Switch to watering in the early morning so the sun dries everything out by midday.
This simple shift will make your basil patch far less attractive and help you get rid of earwigs on basil permanently.
2. Prune Lower Leaves And Thin The Plants
Earwigs on basil love dense foliage because it gives them cover.
Prune the lowest leaves that touch the soil and thin out your basil plants so air can circulate freely.
Good airflow not only deters earwigs but also prevents fungal diseases.
This keeps your basil healthy while making it a hostile environment for pests.
3. Clear Garden Debris Weekly
Fallen leaves, dead stems, and garden clutter are like a welcome mat for earwigs.
Take five minutes each week to clear out any debris around your basil plants.
The fewer places they have to hide, the less likely you’ll find earwigs on basil.
You don’t need a spotless garden, just keep the immediate area around the herbs clear.
So, How Do You Get Rid Of Earwigs On Basil?
You can get rid of earwigs on basil by combining nightly trapping, natural sprays, and a few smart garden habits.
Earwigs on basil are certainly annoying, but they are far from invincible.
The soybean oil trap will work fast, the newspaper trap will handle the stragglers, and the neem oil will keep new ones from settling in.
Remember, the key is consistency for a few days in a row.
A single trap night won’t cut it, but a week of these methods will get rid of earwigs on basil effectively.
You’ll be back to harvesting fresh, hole-free leaves in no time.
So grab your flashlight, set those traps, and show those pincered pests the door for good.