Whether you find them lucky or a disrupter of your sleep, people tend to have strong views about crickets. There are about 100 species of crickets in the United States, but some are more likely than others to sneak inside your home. We’ve made a list of the most common types of crickets that you could find in your house.
Crickets 101
Crickets are most known for their habit of keeping you up at night. Despite their bad reputation, only male crickets chirp and not all species can. Crickets vary in size and color by species, but they all share a few characteristics. Crickets have long antennae and large back legs that allow them to jump. Their life cycle consists of three stages—egg, nymph, adult. Crickets will eat a variety of things including insects, plants, vegetables, and fabric. They prefer to spend their time outside, but will head inside if weather conditions aren’t suitable to their needs. Crickets are nocturnal and become silent when they feel threatened, so it can be difficult to spot them.
House Crickets
Their name says it all, house crickets like to hide in homes.
What Do House Crickets Look Like?
House crickets are about ¾ʺ in length and have a light brown body with black legs. These crickets have wings and are able to fly. They have three dark bands on their head. House cricket nymphs are similar in appearance, but smaller and wingless.
Where Do House Crickets Live?
These crickets like areas that are warm and moist. When temperatures cool, house crickets look for shelter. You can usually find them near heaters, fireplaces, and in kitchens. Outside, they often hide in woodpiles and mulch. They can be found throughout the United States but are more prevalent in areas east of the Rocky Mountains.
Field Crickets
Though field crickets prefer to spend their time outside, these crickets can invade homes.
What Do Field Crickets Look Like?
Field crickets are slightly larger than house crickets ranging in size from ½ʺ-1ʺ. They have a black or brown body. These crickets have wings, but not all of them can fly. Nymphs are smaller than adult field crickets and don’t have wings.
Where Do Field Crickets Live?
When temperatures become too hot or too cold, field crickets seek relief inside of buildings and homes. They are often found in parts of homes where moisture builds including basements and bathrooms. They prefer to hide in flowerbeds and overgrown grass when they are outside. Field crickets can be spotted throughout the United States.
Camel Crickets
The camel cricket gets its name from the arched hump on its back.
What Do Camel Crickets Look Like?
Camel crickets have a brown body with lighter spots. They grow between ½ʺ-1". Both adults and nymphs are wingless. Unlike other crickets, camel crickets don’t have sound producing organs so they can’t chirp.
Where Do Camel Crickets Live?
These crickets are referred to as cave crickets because they often live in caves where it’s dark and damp. They are also found under leaves and rotten logs. Camel crickets enter homes if weather conditions are too hot and dry or after heavy rainfall. They hide in crawlspaces, bathrooms, and basements. They are common throughout the United States.
Jerusalem Crickets
Jerusalem crickets are another species that doesn’t chirp. Instead, they produce a hissing sound.
What Do Jerusalem Crickets Look Like?
Jerusalem crickets are the largest on the list ranging in size from 1ʺ-2 ½ʺ. They are yellowish-brown and have black rings on their abdomen. They are known for their large heads. Like camel crickets, Jerusalem crickets are wingless. Though they can bite, they would rather flee than fight.
Where Do Jerusalem Crickets Live?
Jerusalem crickets are often found in gardens, especially those containing fruit or vegetables. If the weather becomes too hot and dry, they will move inside. They are usually found in western parts of the United States.
How to Prevent & Get Rid of Crickets
Having crickets chirping all night can drive anyone crazy. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to keep these uninvited pests out of your home.
- Reduce Excess Moisture: Crickets need water, which is why eliminating moisture is important. Use a dehumidifier or fan to limit moisture build-up. Repair leaky pipes or faucets in your home and yard.
- Switch Your Lights: Crickets are attracted to bright lights. Use a yellow light bulb in your exterior lights.
- Eliminate Entry Points: Examine the interior and exterior of your home for any cracks or gaps. Seal any you find with caulk.
- Vacuum: One of the best ways to remove crickets is vacuuming. This will help to get rid of adult crickets and their eggs.
- Create a Protective Barrier: Spraying the perimeter of your yard with a plant-based insecticide spray, like our Yard Bug Spray, can help keep crickets from entering. The residual repellency will create a barrier helping to deter crickets.
- Use a Plant-Based Insecticide Spray: You can spray the crickets in your home with our Home Bug Spray. Not only will it kill on contact, it will also help to prevent other crickets from coming inside. Spraying common entry points can also help to deter cricket activity.
Chirping crickets are sure to frustrate you, especially when you can’t seem to find where they’re hiding. Taking a few precautionary measures can help you avoid a cricket infestation. If you’re dealing with a pest problem, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective Pest Control products.