House crickets are a common pest in California and we at Ventura Pest Control would like to relate some of the basic fundamentals today. House crickets are identifiable by the three dark bands across their heads and the light brown primary coloring of their body.
Nymphs appear as adults but are wingless. Crickets do well in moist, warm environments. When they invade homes, they often congregate near kitchens, heaters, and fireplaces.
Outside homes, they are typically in woodpiles and in the mulch. However, crickets can be found in various areas of the structure. More often than not, crickets escape into homes to find refuge from extreme weather conditions or to avoid being a predator's next meal.
Homeowners are particularly annoyed by crickets because of the loud and continuous chirping that seems to go on all night long, as crickets are more active at this time. Because crickets are attracted to warmth, they are most likely to be found in kitchens or near sources of heat, such as a furnace or water heater. Once inside, they can burrow into cracks and behind baseboards, but still may often escape to the outdoors when they get the chance. A cricket or two in your home will rarely cause damage, but high populations can be of concern because of their tendency to chew on any fabric or paper laying about.
To control crickets in your home, start by placing glue boards in the areas of the room where chirping is most often heard. If you'd like, you can place cornmeal in the center of the board as bait. In most cases, you'll have caught your cricket culprit within a day or two. Likewise, if you spot any crickets outright, you can skip the glue boards and instead trap them using a vacuum hose before emptying the canister outside.
If you notice a heavy infestation has developed, sprays and baits to eradicate crickets are available through home and garden stores. When using any chemical spray and bait traps alike , be sure to purchase only those labeled for the insect you want to control and the area it is to be used, then read and follow all label directions. As a general rule, spray any pesticides around the entry points of your home, on your baseboards, and in garage and basement areas.
Crickets can only enter the home if there is an opening for them to get in, and they can only survive if conditions allow. To prevent future infestations, caulk or seal all potential entry points, such as cracks in the foundation and gaps around doors and low windows. Keep the foundation and perimeter of your home free of tall grass, weeds, and mulch, and never store firewood or other organic material or debris near the home, which can allow crickets and other pests to use the wood for shelter and then make their way indoors.
Additionally, crickets are known to be attracted to lights once the sun has set. To prevent enticing them to your porch or windowsill, use yellow sodium-vapor lighting outdoors rather than white or mercury-vapor lights. When possible, place lights on poles with the lighting directed toward the door or area you wish to light. Sodium vapor bulbs are also less likely to draw crickets. In the yard, keep the grass neatly mowed and appropriately watered and the flower beds weeded.
Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home. If crickets are driving you crazy and you still want more info about how they got in and how to get rid of them, see the answers to these common questions. If you hear loud chirping indoors, it may be an adult male cricket calling for a mate. Follow the sound as quietly as you can, so as not to startle the insect—if you do, it can jump a good 3 feet!
You can also leave a plastic bottle with a small amount of soda or other sweetened drink inside. The cricket is likely to crawl in but will have trouble getting out.
House crickets tend to live outside in warm weather but look for a way inside come autumn, when temperatures drop. They typically die off in the fall, but the problem is, cricket eggs overwinter and hatch a whole new generation in the spring. Like fireflies, crickets are a sign of summer and the sound of their chirping can be quite pleasant outdoors on a warm night. Unfortunately, they can be destructive indoors, nibbling on carpets, upholstered furniture, bedding, and clothing. Use the smart strategies in this guide to get rid of crickets in and around your home quickly!
Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila. Mow the lawn, weed plant beds and move woodpiles away from the structure. Provide adequate ventilation in crawl spaces, basements, etc. Consider changing outdoor lighting to less-attractive yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lamps. It is also important to seal possible points of entry for house crickets around the house, including window and door frames and holes in masonry. A vacuum can also be used to remove house crickets and their eggs.
Outside, house crickets feed on plants and dead or live insects, including other crickets. Indoors, they can feast on fabric, including clothing and carpet. Wool, cotton, silk and synthetic fabrics as well as clothes soiled with perspiration are especially attractive to house crickets. House crickets typically live outdoors during the warmer seasons and are especially fond of garbage dumps.
They are often attracted to electric lights in larger numbers, sometimes by the thousands, and rest on vertical surfaces such as light poles and house walls. However, when cold weather approaches, they will move indoors to houses and sheds because of the moisture and warmth they provide. House crickets are nocturnal or active at night and usually hide in dark warm places during the day.
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