Earwigs are hard, flattened, reddish-brown insects, up to 1 inch long, and they feed on mosses, decaying organic matter, vegetation and other insects. Earwigs become beneficial when they feed on other insects larvae and snails. Those frightening, forceps-like pincers that extend from the back end are used as offensive and defensive weapons with which they catch insects. Earwigs are also capable of giving you a good pinch if you mess with them, but the legend of their creeping into ears of sleeping persons is untrue.