We’ve put together a guide for identifying when you’ve got a cricket infestation and how to remove it effectively.
- What causes a cricket infestation?
- What are the signs you have a cricket infestation?
- How do you get rid of crickets in your house?
- How do you prevent crickets?
What Causes a Cricket Infestation?
A cricket infestation in your home can be infuriating because while they might be hard to find, they’re very, very noisy. Arizona has several species of crickets, including field crickets, house crickets, and tropical house crickets. Regardless of the species type, they’re in your home for specific reasons:
- Moisture: Especially in a desert climate like Arizona, crickets are looking for sources of water to drink. This is why they are drawn to warm, dark places that produce moisture.
- Food: Crickets are searching for food in your house – but it’s not what you would imagine. House crickets like to eat from natural and synthetic fibers, which means your furniture, carpets, napkins, and upholstery are at risk if they invade.
- Shelter: Crickets are often trying to escape extreme elements like high temperatures. Crickets also have plenty of predators after them – including other crickets.
Finally, crickets are natural performers – they just want you to hear the sounds of their soulful music. While we’re kidding, it has often been considered good luck to have crickets in your home in certain cultures. We certainly disagree – a cricket infestation is the opposite of good luck and needs to be dealt with accordingly.
What are the Signs you Have a Cricket Infestation?
In terms of pest infestations in Arizona, crickets are certainly kind enough to announce their presence. If you notice any of the following signs, you just might have a cricket infestation on your hands:
1. Seeing and Hearing Crickets: We’ll combine the two exceedingly obvious signs – if you see a bunch of crickets or hear their signature chirping in your home, you likely have a cricket problem in your house.
2. Chewed-Up Fabric Edges: Look for holes in upholstery and carpet fabrics such as wool, silk, cotton, and some synthetic blends; they’re significantly bigger than holes left by moths or other small pests.
3. Holes in Clothing: Yes, crickets will eat your clothing. Especially if the chewed-up portions are larger than moth-eaten sections, it’s time to look for crickets around your house.
The good news is that crickets are not sneaky when infesting your home. The bad news is that they swarm quickly at the turn of a season – so you’ll have to be prepared in order to ward off a cricket infestation effectively before it’s a pretty big problem.
4. Droppings: Cricket droppings are small, black, and elongated in shape.
How to Get Rid of Crickets in Your House
Crickets are evasive, annoying, and hard to get rid of once they get comfortable in your home. They also can carry parasites and bacteria, so it’s important to remove them before they become harmful to your health.
Crickets’ chirps can be a great way to locate them if you listen carefully. If you are having indoor cricket issues, we recommend vacuuming carpets and rugs to remove possible cricket eggs and remove scents from where crickets have been earlier. Similarly, make sure to keep your trash cans clean, as crickets are attracted to scents there.
There are over-the-counter cricket traps, insecticides, and home remedies such as boric acid that can be applied both inside and outside to try and trap them. Though we highly recommend preventative measures or professional pest control instead, homeowners have had success with some of these products. But you usually end up wasting more time and money than you would hiring a professional pest technician to inspect, clean, and treat your home.
How to Prevent Crickets
Cricket-proofing your house is a challenging task. Still, there are some measures you can take to make life a lot easier for you as the seasons change, and they look to invade:
- Repair and seal any entrances: Cracks in your walls or foundation, gaps in doors and windows, or broken screens are all invitations for crickets to hop on in. Caulk over or replace any areas where crickets can easily enter your home.
- Keep compost, mulch, and waste bins far away from your house: We recommend at least 25 feet of distance from your refuse piles – if not more.
- Clear gutters, drains, and standing water: Crickets love moisture, and these are prime sources for them.
- Use amber or ‘bug lights’ outdoors: Bright lighting and heat can attract crickets (as well as other bugs), so changing your patio or outdoor setup can go a long way.
- Maintain yard and gardens: Keeping your grass, bushes, and flower beds trimmed will deter crickets from settling in your yard.
A professional pest control technician will comb your property for crickets when they perform an annual or regularly scheduled inspection. If you aren’t already doing this to protect your property and health, we highly recommend it.
Published On: November 5, 2021
Updated On: November 17, 2022
