What Are Crickets?

Crickets

Crickets are small to medium-sized insects belonging to the order Orthoptera, which also includes grasshoppers and katydids. They are known for their distinctive chirping sound produced by rubbing their wings together, primarily done by male crickets to attract mates and establish territory, which can be annoying to some homeowners. Crickets have long antennae, powerful hind legs adapted for jumping, and often have wings, although not all species are capable of flight.

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These insects can invade your home, particularly during warm weather, seeking shelter and food. While they typically feed on plant matter, fungi, and small insects, they can also damage fabrics, paper, and other household items.

What Kinds of Crickets are There?

House Cricket (Acheta domesticus)

This species is often found indoors, particularly in basements, kitchens, and other damp areas. House crickets are known for their distinctive chirping sound and can feed on a variety of organic materials.

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Field Cricket (Gryllus spp.)

Field crickets are outdoor-dwelling species commonly found in grassy fields, gardens, and agricultural areas. They may occasionally find their way indoors, especially during warm weather or if attracted to lights.

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Camel Cricket (Ceuthophilus spp.)

Also known as cave crickets or spider crickets, camel crickets are characterized by their long legs and humpbacked appearance. They typically inhabit dark, damp areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and utility rooms.

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Snowy Tree Cricket (Oecanthus fultoni)

These crickets are known for their high-pitched chirping sound, often heard on summer evenings. They are commonly found in trees and shrubs, where they feed on plant matter and insects.

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Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpidae family)

Mole crickets are unique in appearance, with large, shovel-shaped front legs adapted for digging. They primarily inhabit soil and are known for tunneling behavior, which can cause damage to lawns and gardens.

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Are Crickets Bad To Have Around Your House?

While crickets are generally not harmful to humans and can even be beneficial in some ways, their presence around the house can still be problematic for several reasons:

Chirping Noise: The chirping sound produced by male crickets can be loud and persistent, especially at night. This noise can disrupt sleep and become a nuisance for homeowners, particularly if the infestation is large.
Damage to Property: Crickets may feed on a variety of organic materials, including fabrics, paper, and even furniture upholstery. In large numbers, they can cause damage to household items and structures, leading to potential repair costs.
Allergies: Some individuals may be allergic to proteins found in cricket saliva or feces. Exposure to these allergens can lead to symptoms such as itching, redness, or respiratory issues in sensitive individuals.
Attracting Predators: Crickets can attract other pests, such as spiders and rodents, which may feed on them. This can lead to secondary pest infestations in your home, further exacerbating the problem.
Unsanitary Conditions: In addition to causing damage, large populations of crickets can create unsanitary conditions in your home, particularly if they die and decompose in hidden areas. Their presence may also contribute to the growth of mold and fungi in damp environments.

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What Attracts Crickets Inside The House?

Several factors can attract crickets inside the house:

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• Light: Crickets are nocturnal insects and are attracted to light sources. Outdoor lighting fixtures, porch lights, and streetlights can draw crickets towards homes, especially during the evening hours. Once attracted to the light, crickets may inadvertently find their way indoors through open doors, windows, or gaps around entry points.

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• Moisture: Crickets are attracted to areas with high humidity levels and moisture. Damp basements, crawl spaces, and areas with plumbing leaks provide ideal conditions for crickets to thrive. Excess moisture can also promote the growth of fungi and mold, which are additional food sources for crickets.

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• Food Sources: Crickets are opportunistic feeders and are attracted to areas with abundant food sources. They may find their way indoors in search of food items such as crumbs, spilled pet food, or pantry items like grains and cereals. Kitchens, pantries, and dining areas are common areas where crickets may be attracted to food sources inside the house.

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• Shelter: Crickets seek shelter in protected areas during the day and become active at night. Homes with gaps around doors and windows, foundation cracks, or poorly sealed utility openings can provide entry points for crickets to access indoor spaces. Crickets may also hide in cluttered areas, such as storage boxes, piles of clothing, or stacks of newspapers, inside the house.

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How To Get Rid of Crickets From Your House With Alta Pest Control

At Alta Pest Control, we offer effective solutions for getting rid of crickets and preventing future infestations. Here's how we can help:

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1. Comprehensive Inspection: Our trained technicians will conduct a thorough inspection of your property to identify areas where crickets are entering your home and where they are congregating indoors. This step is crucial for developing an effective eradication plan.

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2. Exclusion: We'll help seal off entry points that crickets are using to access your home. This may involve caulking cracks and gaps around doors, windows, vents, and utility openings to prevent crickets from gaining entry.

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3. Interior Treatment: Our team may apply targeted insecticides or other treatments indoors to eliminate crickets hiding within your home. These treatments are typically applied in areas where crickets are commonly found, such as basements, crawl spaces, and utility rooms.

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4. Exterior Treatment: We'll apply outdoor perimeter treatments to create a barrier around your home, deterring crickets from entering. These treatments may include residual insecticides or other products designed to repel crickets from your property.

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5. Moisture Control: We understand the importance of managing moisture levels in and around your home to deter crickets. Our technicians will identify and rectify sources of excess moisture, such as plumbing leaks or poor ventilation, as part of our comprehensive pest management approach.

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6. Monitoring and Follow-Up: We'll continue to monitor your property for cricket activity and provide follow-up treatments as needed to ensure effective control. Our goal is to eliminate crickets from your home and prevent future infestations.

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7. Education and Prevention: Our team will offer advice on how to prevent future cricket infestations, such as reducing moisture levels, removing outdoor lighting attractants, and sealing entry points. By implementing these preventive measures, you can minimize the likelihood of encountering crickets in your home in the future.

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By working with Alta Pest Control, you can trust us to effectively address your cricket problem and provide long-term solutions for pest control. Our experienced technicians will customize a treatment plan to meet your specific needs and ensure a cricket-free living environment.

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Cricket FAQs

What Do Crickets Eat?

Crickets are omnivorous insects, meaning they consume a wide variety of foods, including plant matter, fungi, and other insects. Their diet typically consists of:

Plant Material: Crickets feed on a variety of plant materials, including leaves, grasses, flowers, and seeds. They may also consume fruits and vegetables, especially if they are overripe or decaying.
Fungi: Crickets are known to feed on fungi and mold that grow in damp, humid environments. They may seek out areas with high moisture levels, such as basements, crawl spaces, and gardens, where fungi are abundant.
Insects: Some cricket species are opportunistic predators and may feed on small insects and arthropods. They may capture and consume prey such as aphids, caterpillars, and other small invertebrates.
Organic Debris: Crickets are scavengers and will feed on organic debris, including dead insects, decaying plant matter, and animal remains. They play an important role in decomposition by breaking down organic material into smaller particles.
Household Food: In urban environments, crickets may also feed on household food items, such as crumbs, spilled pet food, and pantry items like grains and cereals. They are attracted to areas with food sources and may become pests in kitchens and food storage areas.

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Overall, crickets are adaptable feeders that can thrive on a variety of food sources, making them common inhabitants of diverse habitats worldwide. Understanding their dietary preferences can help homeowners implement effective pest management strategies to control cricket populations and minimize their impact on living spaces.

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Are Crickets Harmful?

While crickets are generally not harmful to humans in the same way as some other pests, they can still pose certain problems:

Nuisance Chirping: The chirping sound produced by male crickets can be loud and persistent, especially at night. While this may not cause physical harm, it can disrupt sleep and become a nuisance for homeowners.
Damage to Property: Crickets may feed on a variety of organic materials, including fabrics, paper, and even furniture upholstery. In large numbers, they can cause damage to household items and structures.
Allergies: Some individuals may be allergic to proteins found in cricket saliva or feces. Exposure to these allergens can lead to symptoms such as itching, redness, or respiratory issues in sensitive individuals.
Attracting Predators: Crickets can attract other pests, such as spiders and rodents, which may feed on them. This can lead to secondary pest infestations in your home.
Unsanitary Conditions: In addition to causing damage, large populations of crickets can create unsanitary conditions in your home, particularly if they die and decompose in hidden areas.

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While crickets are not considered harmful pests in the same way as insects like cockroaches or mosquitoes, their presence can still be problematic for homeowners. Effective pest management strategies, including sealing entry points, reducing moisture levels, and implementing targeted treatments, can help control cricket populations and minimize their impact on your living space. If you're dealing with a cricket infestation, it's advisable to consult with a pest control professional like Alta Pest Control to address the issue effectively.

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What Smell Do Crickets Hate?

Crickets are sensitive to certain smells, and there are a few scents that they may find unpleasant or repellent:

Peppermint: Crickets are known to dislike the strong, minty aroma of peppermint. Using peppermint oil or placing peppermint sachets around areas where crickets are present may help deter them.
Citrus: The scent of citrus fruits, such as lemon or orange, can also be repugnant to crickets. Citrus essential oils or citrus-scented cleaners may help repel crickets from specific areas.
Cinnamon: Crickets may find the warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon unpleasant. Sprinkling cinnamon powder or using cinnamon essential oil in areas where crickets are active may help deter them.
Lavender: The floral scent of lavender is known to have insect-repelling properties. Using lavender essential oil or sachets in areas where crickets are present may help discourage them from lingering.

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While these scents may help deter crickets to some extent, it's essential to note that their effectiveness can vary, and they may not provide complete control of cricket populations. For severe infestations or persistent cricket problems, it's advisable to consult with a pest control professional like Alta Pest Control for comprehensive solutions tailored to your specific needs.

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Why Do Crickets Make Noise At Night?

Crickets are primarily nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active during the night. The chirping sound produced by crickets is primarily a mating call, emitted by male crickets to attract females. This chirping behavior serves several purposes:

Attracting Mates: Male crickets produce the characteristic chirping sound by rubbing their wings together, a process called stridulation. The sound produced is used to attract nearby female crickets for mating purposes.
Establishing Territory: In addition to attracting mates, the chirping sound can also serve as a territorial signal. Male crickets may use their calls to establish and defend territory from rival males, helping to reduce competition for mates.
Species Identification: Each species of cricket has its own unique chirping pattern, frequency, and tempo. By listening to the chirping sounds of nearby crickets, individuals can identify the species and potentially locate mates of the same species.
Environmental Conditions: Crickets are ectothermic insects, meaning their body temperature is regulated by external environmental conditions. They are most active and capable of producing chirping sounds when temperatures are warm, typically during the night.

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Can Crickets Lay Eggs In Your House?

Yes, crickets can lay eggs indoors under certain conditions. Female crickets typically lay their eggs in warm, moist soil or organic debris, where the eggs are protected and have access to the necessary nutrients for development. However, in indoor environments, crickets may lay eggs in suitable locations where they find adequate moisture and shelter.

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Common indoor locations where crickets may lay eggs include:

Potted Plants: Crickets may lay eggs in the soil of indoor potted plants, especially if the soil is damp and provides suitable conditions for egg development.
Basements and Crawl Spaces: Crickets may lay eggs in dark, secluded areas such as basements, crawl spaces, or utility rooms, where moisture levels are higher and there is less disturbance.
Cluttered Areas: Crickets may lay eggs in cluttered areas, such as storage boxes, piles of clothing, or stacks of newspapers, where they can find shelter and protection for their eggs.
Cracks and Crevices: Female crickets may lay eggs in cracks and crevices around the home, such as in walls, floors, or furniture, if the conditions are suitable and provide protection for the eggs.

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While cricket infestations indoors are typically associated with adult crickets seeking shelter, if conditions are favorable, female crickets may lay eggs indoors, leading to the emergence of nymphs (young crickets) in the future. Therefore, it's essential to address cricket infestations promptly and implement preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of egg laying and future infestations.

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How Alta Pest Control Protects Your Home From Pests

All of our treatment plans are customized to your home and yard. We do this to ensure that you get the exact coverage you need to keep your home safe. All of our technicians and inspectors are experts in their field, so you can be sure that you are getting top-tier protection.

Get A Free Estimate

Inspection

One of our expert technicians will inspect every inch of your home and business for pest activity. Then they will create a custom plan based on their findings.

Initial Service

Once your custom plan is created, we will treat your home and yard to give you immediate relief from pests. Then, we will create a boundary around your property to prevent more pests from entering.

Follow Ups

After the initial service, we will conduct regular maintenance to ensure that your pest problems remain solved. We will also conduct free inspections for problem pests, such as termites.

Alta Guarantee

When it comes to pest control, we put our money where our mouth is. If we treat your home, and you're still seeing pests, we'll come back and retreat for free. We'll always have your back.