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Earwigs (Forficula auricularia)
Earwigs are elongated, reddish-brown insects recognizable by the prominent pincers at the end of their abdomen, which they use for defense and prey capture. They prefer moist environments and feed on plant material, decaying organic matter, and soft-bodied insects, playing a mixed role as minor garden pests and predators. Despite the myth, they do not crawl into human ears. Reducing moisture, removing debris and mulch from against the foundation, and applying perimeter insecticide treatments effectively controls earwig populations.