The Backyard Bug Hack Everyone’s Buzzing About: How Olive Oil Outsmarted a Garden Full of Earwigs
They don’t bite, sting, or hiss—but when earwigs start showing up in swarms around your garden or patio, it’s hard not to feel a little… itchy.
This summer, people across the U.S. have reported a spike in these creepy-crawly visitors. And while they’re more of a nuisance than a threat, one woman’s remarkably simple trick is gaining traction as a seriously effective way to send them packing—using nothing more than olive oil.
Yes, olive oil. The same stuff you drizzle on salads or use in your favorite pasta dish might just be your new secret weapon against an earwig invasion.
Alicia Alexander, a backyard gardener and self-described “bug magnet,” shared her discovery in a Facebook gardening group. Frustrated by a sudden uptick in earwig sightings, she tried placing a shallow bowl filled with olive oil near her flower beds.
The results were shocking: by the next morning, the bowl was full of earwigs that had climbed in—and couldn’t get back out. Within 36 hours, dozens more had followed.
“I thought it was a fluke at first,” Alicia said in her post. “But it works. Every single night.”
Apparently, earwigs are drawn to the scent and texture of the oil but become trapped once inside, unable to escape the slick surface.
Why It Works—and Why It Matters
Earwigs love moisture, especially around decaying plant matter or damp wood. If they’ve taken a liking to your space, it might be more than a one-off pest issue—it could be a sign of underlying moisture problems in your yard or home.
That makes this olive oil trick doubly useful: not only does it trap the earwigs, it also gives you a heads-up that it’s time to inspect for hidden rot, leaks, or water-damaged wood—particularly around decks, patios, and siding.
How to Try It Yourself
It’s ridiculously easy:
- Take a small, shallow bowl or container.
- Pour in enough olive oil to cover the bottom (about ½ cup).
- Place it near flower beds, mulch, or wooden structures.
- Check after 24–36 hours and dispose of the bugs safely.
Some gardeners add a few drops of soy sauce or tuna water to make the trap even more appealing. Bonus points for style if you disguise the bowl with a bit of soil or leaves.
The Takeaway
Earwigs might be harmless, but they don’t belong crawling around your garden furniture or sneaking under flowerpots. This low-cost, chemical-free trap is a clever way to reclaim your outdoor space—no pest control service required.
So if your backyard has become a hotspot for these unwanted guests, try the olive oil trick. It just might be the most satisfying thing you do all week.
And if they keep coming back? Take it as a sign—it might be time to dig deeper for water damage or other hidden attractants.
Because sometimes, the best way to fix a bug problem… is to listen to what the bugs are trying to tell you.