Earwigs like to hide in dark, tight-fitting areas during the day and often become nuisance problems as a result. Earwigs can be trapped in rolled-up, moistened newspapers. Preventing earwig movement into homes is best achieved by insecticide barrier treatments around house foundations. The European earwig is an insect migrant from Europe that was established in the eastern United States around 1907. This insect rapidly spread across the United States and has occurred in Colorado since the 1950s.
Young earwigs are similar in appearance to adults but smaller.
A distinctive feature is the pair of prominent forceps at the rear of the body. Those of the male are more strongly curved than those of the female. This is the only earwig found throughout most of Colorado. Habits 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.