Earwigs are dark slender insects with short wings towards the front and a conspicuous set of "pinchers" at the rear. They are most closely related to stick insects and grasshoppers.

Earwigs are found on all continents except Antarctica. Earwigs are mostly nocturnal and often hide in small, moist crevices during the day, and are active at night, feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants. Damage to foliage, flowers, and various crops is commonly blamed on earwigs, especially the common earwig Forficula auricularia.

The most likely earwig encountered in nursery production in the Northwest is the European earwig, Forficula auricularia. The following websites have useful information on earwigs.

Hosts: soft fruits, seedlings, aphids, mites, zinnia, marigolds, dahlias Management: See Landscape pests-Earwig in PNW Insect Management Handbook

Sep 30, 2010 · There are no native earwigs in Oregon; if you see one, it’s an invader. By far the most common is the European earwig, Forficula auricularia L. Earwigs are omnivores, occasionally becoming minor pests.

Jul 7, 2016 · Earwigs munch on leaves and flowers during the night, and hide under garden debris during the day. Keep them away by keeping your garden free of debris, says OSU Extension volunteer master...

May 31, 2020 · We have tried three different recommendations, including slug bait, insecticide powder, as well as a spray. Nothing seems to be helping. No visible insects during any daylight hours. Any...

Aug 22, 2022 · Earwigs feed on developing seedlings, leaves, soft fruits, ornamental flowers, and corn silk (which reduces pollination). A lack of ‘slime’ helps distinguish earwig feeding from slugs or snails.

• Prune away fruit tree suckers. • Remove leaves, boards, boxes, trash, and other debris from planting areas. • Move ower pots and other garden objects and structures that can harbor earwigs. • Check plastic or organic mulches and remove them to limit earwig numbers. versity of California Cooperative Trap earwigs until they’re gone!

Earwigs of Northwest Oregon, Columbia County ... Earwigs