Might be slug damage. At dusk or dawn, look under the leaves for slugs. There are many ways to control slugs: pick them off, drown them in stale beer, or any of a variety of slug baits.

The ants might be attracted to the slugs.

I'm sure the spinach is fine to eat other than appearance. Just wash thoroughly.

Agree the ants aren't a problem but you do have a slug problem. All sorts of discussions here about how to control slugs.

Dave

slug-control discussions

I didn't find slugs but I found a few of these bugs on both potatoes and spinach. Are they eating my plants? what are they and what can I do? They look like earwigs. I didn't see any other insects or slugs out there tonight.

But do earwigs eat plants or other insects and slugs? I'm finding mixed info when I search it. Are they problem most likely or something else?

They are primarily carnivore but secondarily herbivores. In other words they will eat what is available. Their plant diet is primarily dead and decaying matter but will also eat live plants.

The damage to the plants in your pics is minimal and mostly just appearance. Whether to intervene or not all depends on how severe the infestation. So how many of them have you seen?

Dave

Thanks for the replies. I saw about 5 last night. Not a huge number. My only concern is the spinach safe to eat after a good washing?

If I see more bugs I'll set up a trap to get them.

In some locations, earwigs are serious garden and crop pests. We need to remember that. Click HERE for some good information.

mfran, you should set up a trap now. The arthropods that I mentioned earlier aren't exactly out in the open. For every one you happen to see, there may be hundreds that you don't. The traps are a good way to tell if these things exist in serious numbers....or not.

Of course, your spinach is perfectly safe to eat.