Crickets prefer to be outdoors, but will occasionally hop into homes. Unfortunately, they won’t always be willing to leave once they’re inside, especially when temperatures are cool. There are many cricket species in the world, but only some are likely to infest homes. We’ve gathered information about common cricket invaders to help you identify and eliminate an infestation.
Camel Crickets
Though camel crickets want to be outdoors, they do accidentally enter homes from time to time.
What Do Camel Crickets Look Like?
Camel crickets have an arched hump on their back, which is where they get their name. They grow to about 1 ¼ʺ in length. These crickets have a brown body with lighter and darker patches. Unlike other crickets, camel crickets don’t chirp.
Where Do Camel Crickets Live?
Whether camel crickets are in your yard or house, they gravitate to areas with moisture. They hide in woodpiles, under leaves, mulch, and logs. When they enter homes, these crickets look for damp rooms including garages and basements. Camel crickets are more common on the eastern side of the United States, but can be found elsewhere. They’re sometimes referred to as cave crickets, since this is a common habitat for them.
What Do Camel Crickets Eat?
Camel crickets feed on many things including plants, wood, insects, and fabrics found in your home.
Why Are Camel Crickets in My House?
If camel crickets have infested your home, it’s likely they have found a water source. They move inside when it becomes too hot and dry. Sometimes nymphs will overwinter in homes.
Are Camel Crickets Dangerous?
These crickets aren’t known to bite and aren’t harmful to humans. They do feed on fabric, which can cause damage to household items. If they overwinter in your house, it could lead to a large infestation in spring when they emerge. Under the right conditions, camel crickets can breed indoors.
Field Crickets
Another occasional home invader is the field cricket. These crickets enter homes, but they aren’t known to survive as long indoors as other cricket species.
What Do Field Crickets Look Like?
Most field crickets have a shiny, black body. Some can be dark brown. They range in size from ½ -1ʺ in length. Though field crickets have wings, they don’t fly.
Where Do Field Crickets Live?
Field crickets like to hide in overgrown grass, flowerbeds, under mulch and stones. They tend to infest rooms where moisture builds including basements and bathrooms. These crickets can be found throughout the United States.
What Do Field Crickets Eat?
Field crickets will eat other insects, plants, grains, fruit, vegetables, and fabric.
Why Are Field Crickets in My House?
Field crickets enter homes when weather conditions become too hot or too cold. They are also attracted to water, so leaky pipes or damp rooms could lure them to your house.
Are Field Crickets Dangerous?
Like camel crickets, field crickets aren’t known to bite. They can damage fabric when chewing on it. These crickets will feed on plants, so they could cause harm to gardens.
House Crickets
It’s probably not a surprise, but house crickets thrive indoors. These crickets are the most common invader on the list.
What Do House Crickets Look Like?
House crickets have a light brown body with black legs. Three dark bands on their head help to separate them from other species. They grow to about ¾ʺ in length and have wings.
Where Do House Crickets Live?
These crickets prefer warm and moist environments. When the weather is warm, you’ll find them hanging around outside. When temperatures drop, they may enter homes hoping to escape the cold. These crickets can live for long periods indoors. They gravitate to rooms with heaters or sources of heat including kitchens. Though house crickets live throughout the United States, they are more prominent east of the Rocky Mountains.
What Do House Crickets Eat?
Like other species, house crickets eat a variety of things. Plants, insects, grains, produce, and fabric are all possible food sources.
Why Are House Crickets in My House?
If your home has any moisture build-up and is warm, house crickets could arrive. They also are attracted to light sources. These crickets are known to gather in large numbers on decks or patios near lights.
Are House Crickets Dangerous?
House crickets aren’t harmful to humans. However, infestations can become large. These pests can also damage household items including carpet, rugs, clothes, and curtains.
Knowing what pest you’re dealing with is the first step to getting rid of them. If crickets or other bugs have invaded your space, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.