Pest Guide for Crickets
Identification is the first step toward effective cricket pest control. Crickets are part of the scientific family Gryllidae, which includes various cricket species as well as grasshoppers. There are more than 900 different types of crickets in the wild, but the most common species found in the U.S. are the fall field cricket, greenhouse camel cricket, and the house cricket. House crickets are the species you’re most likely to find in your home. They reproduce quickly, so swift intervention is necessary. That’s where Ledford’s Pest Control comes in, with more than 40 years in the pest control business we can help with all of your extermination needs.
Features
Crickets have a round head, long body, bent legs and antennae protruding from their head. They are usually black or brown in color, and house crickets have three dark bands across their head. They can range from 3/4 to 7/8 of an inch in length.
The most notable characteristic of crickets isn’t physical. The telltale, high-pitched chirp that so many people enjoy listening to when they’re out camping is actually caused by male crickets rubbing their wings together.
Diet and Habitat
In the wild, crickets feed off plants and dead insects. You’ll usually find them in fields or woods. Typically, house crickets are drawn to a person’s home by bright lights and warmth. They love warm, moist places, so they’re typically found around heaters, in kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces and basements. Sometimes, they wander into other parts of the home in search of food. Crickets can cause major damage to personal belongings once they invade a home as they feed off clothing, particularly fabrics like silk and wool.
Signs of Infestation
Crickets are most active at night, so an unmistakable sign of infestation is a series of chirping you hear while you try to sleep. Unraveled shirts and clothes are another sign of an infestation. Be sure to check the laundry basket, as many crickets will hunt for food and are drawn to clothing that’s stained with food or sweat. You may notice some strange, dark stains on clothing as well, which is the result of cricket waste.
How to Prevent a Cricket Infestation
There are a few cricket pest control tactics you can employ at home to prevent an infestation:
- Make sure your home’s doors and windows don’t contain any cracks that crickets could slip in through. Weather stripping kits are an inexpensive way to defend your home from small, invasive insects as well as harsh winds.
- Keep your yard free of leaves, dead plants, mulch, firewood and lumber as crickets are often drawn to these as sources of food.
- Ensure that your home is well ventilated to reduce moisture and make it less appealing to crickets.
Turn to Ledford’s for Cricket Pest Control
Need help getting to the bottom of your cricket or pest problem? The exports at Ledford’s are on-call and ready to respond. Request an appointment or give us a call to schedule a consultation and home assessment.
