In normal populations, earwigs don't pose much of a problem for plants. However, in larger numbers, these insects can do quite a bit of damage to leaves, flowers, and the fruit (or veggie) itself. Earwig damage looks a whole lot like a slug fest, but without the tell-tale slime trail.

Earwigs can thrive if your garden if mulched with chips, straw, or other organic based product that offers them a cool, moist, dark place to hang out. If you seem to have a very large population, you may need to remove the mulch. Small numbers of earwigs should be considered normal and not a thing to worry about.

Look for 'Slug-go', an organic (and safe to use) slug bait. I suppose there are other brand names, as well. The active ingredient is 1% iron phosphate. This product can be used safely in your veggie garden and around pets and wildlife.

So knowing it may be an earwig possibility, and they only come out at nite, how do I eliminate them?
There are moist areas all around my home and I've even found them in my grill hiding out. Is there a product to rid them?
I've heard of newspaper crinkled up as a trap but that would only take small numbers of them and there will be more to follow - so, yes, perhaps there is an infestation I'm tackling against.

Using damp newspaper to trap them will be helpful in finding out if you have a major infestation. Take several pages of the newspaper and roll it up loosely (or fold it into thirds). Dampen it. Earwigs will take cover within the pages and creases overnight. In the morning, open the paper over a bucket of soapy water to see how many you've trapped.

HI. the leaves and flowers on my plants are being eaten by something. They look lacy could this be ear wigs or aphids? Our beds are covered with mulch, just wondering what would make the lacy effect?

I too find earwigs to be more of an eyesore than a pest, and I have LOTS of earwigs.
ebonie; you'd need to be more specific about the plants being laced. The only lacy effect I have ever experienced is on my hibiscus, and the cause is sawfly larvae.
I've never been a fan of mulch, especially when I first bought my house and had a horrendous slug problem. Removing the mulch and using Escar Go slug bait took care of the slug problem.

ebonie, aphids do not eat plant tissue but suck out the juices. They will never cause that lacy effect you are seeing.

Several different insect can create that effect. It would help if we knew what kinds of plants you are talking about. And an inspection (with a flashlight) in the evening may reveal who the culprit(s) is(are).

After years of dealing with a horrible earwig problem, I found the solution last year. Dish soap(dawn), mixed with water in a spray bottle. Earwigs congregate & hide in the daytime in moist spots, under flowerpots, stacks of wood, anywhere that holds moisture. Lift a flowerpot with a moist base, you may find hundreds (like I did), have the spray bottle ready they are quick!) and spray em with the soapy solution, kills them instantly! Just find where they hang out and keep at it for about a week, problem solved, the plants and flowers will love you for it! The slugs can be eliminated at night with a bit of salt sprinkled on them. I began this control last year, along with Bonide Eight for the Japaneese beetles and the garden/flowers have never looked better!