Earwigs look like tiny garden villains (those pincers don’t help), but they’re not one-note pests. They’re omnivores—part predator, part janitor—so whether they’re “friend” or “foe” depends on what’s on the menu in your garden that week.
Most nights, earwigs snack on soft-bodied pests and leftovers: aphids, mites, small insect eggs, algae, and decaying plant material. That makes them part of the clean-up crew and a helpful link in the food web. But if their population is high and tender plants are easy to reach, they can also chew petals, seedlings, and soft fruit (strawberries are a classic).
Instead of going to war, try steering them. Earwigs love dark, moist hideouts—mulch, tight crevices, pots, and dense ground cover. That’s great for soil life, but if you’re seeing damage on a specific plant, it often helps to change access rather than remove all habitat.
Try this in your garden: protect the vulnerable stuff and keep the rest chill. Use simple collars for seedlings, lift ripening fruit off the soil, and water in the morning so surfaces dry by night. If you need to reduce numbers locally, place a rolled-up damp newspaper or an upside-down pot with straw as a trap, then shake them out far from the problem area (or into your compost where they’ll keep eating scraps).
In a resilient garden, earwigs are usually a sign of life: moisture, mulch, and plenty of hiding spots. The goal isn’t “zero earwigs”—it’s balance, where soil-friendly habitat stays, and your most delicate plants get a little smart protection.
