While most homeowners begrudgingly accept a few insects as part of domestic life, some pests test our patience more than others. Rural residents know this struggle well—summer often brings a parade of flies, ants, and spiders sneaking indoors. But among these uninvited visitors, earwigs seem to spark particular disdain. As one exasperated homeowner put it: “Spiders weaving webs in corners? Tolerable. The occasional kitchen fly? Annoying, but manageable. Earwigs? Absolutely not.”

These pincer-tailed intruders, though harmless, have an uncanny ability to unsettle even the most bug-tolerant individuals. Their sudden appearances in sinks, bathtubs, or—worst of all—bedrooms trigger visceral reactions disproportionate to their actual threat. Unlike discreet spiders or transient flies, earwigs carry an ick factor that makes them universally unwelcome.

Fortunately, a clever solution has emerged from the collective wisdom of frustrated homeowners. Facebook user Alicia Alexander shared a simple but effective hack: “Fill a shallow bowl with half a cup of olive oil and place it outside.” The method works because earwigs are fatally attracted to the oil’s scent but become trapped upon entering the viscous liquid. This passive approach avoids chemicals while significantly reducing earwig populations around entry points.

As summer’s insect invasions peak, this trick offers hope for maintaining sanity—and keeping those unsettling pincers far from living spaces. Sometimes, the difference between coexistence and warfare comes down to a $5 bottle of olive oil and strategic placement. For those drawing the line at earwigs, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.