CSU Extension Earwigs are a common nuisance both indoors and out. During the day they hide in almost any dark, confined space, particularly if it also is rather moist. Indoor, typical hiding places are under rugs or potted plants, in stacks of newspapers and other similar locations. Outdoors they commonly are found under rocks or stacked wood, in eartips of sweet corn, and under various kinds of debris.
Earwigs are active at night and feed on a wide variety of materials.
They occasionally cause injury to leafy plants such as lettuce and some flower blossoms. However, earwigs often are associated with injuries caused by other insects. For example, leaves curled by aphids and holes in fruit are favorite hiding places for earwigs. Earwigs mainly are a nuisance pest. Their reputation is made worse by the widespread fear that many people have regarding these insects.