Earwigs are not a single monolithic insect. There are over 1,000 species of earwig in the world. Twenty-two species live in the United States.
Earwigs live all over the world. They do not live in Antarctica. However, they can be found anywhere it is dark and damp. They prefer tight crevices or cracks. But they can find their way into crawl spaces or basements. You may also find earwigs in your bathrooms, especially if you have a leak.
It doesn't matter where you live in the United States, you could have an earwig problem. They are scavengers and will eat just about anything. That means they will have no problem eating your houseplants if they end up in your home. To stop an outbreak, you need to identify them before they gain a foothold.