Cricket Pest Control in Phoenix, Arizona
Cricket Activity in Arizona
Crickets are quite common in Arizona, both outside and inside our homes and businesses. The three most common types of crickets found in Arizona are: House cricket, Tropical house cricket, and Field cricket.
Common Types of Crickets in AZ
House Cricket
Known for their loud chirping (which happens to be the male’s mating call), house crickets are light yellowish-brown with three dark stripes across their head. They love warmth and moisture and chewing your fabric.
Tropical House Cricket
Likely originating from southwestern Asia, the tropical house cricket is light yellowish-brown with a “flattened” looking body. These are just as sing-songy as house crickets, so you’ll know if they’re present.
Field Cricket
Field crickets are especially common during summer nights and in tall grass or lawn debris. They are known to help control other unwanted pests as they eat eggs and pupae of other insects. And yes, they also have very musical males.
Are Crickets Harmful?
Crickets can’t physically harm humans. They don’t bite, sting, or carry diseases. Still, if allowed to get out of control, they can become a nuisance and do damage to a variety of materials.
Most of the crickets found in Arizona aren’t a huge threat to plants; however, they can do some minor damage to vegetables and flowering plants, as well as the roots of grasses. Inside your home, though, they may chomp on your clothes and furniture upholstery, as well as other items made from fabric. And in addition, to making a big racket with that infernal chirping, they might also eat foods in your pantry, while one of their favorite foods is the glue on wallpaper.
What’s Attracting Crickets Around Your Home?
- Cracks and gaps in the home or building’s foundation
- Gaps in between windows, doors, and screens
- Flower boxes
- Piles of rock or firewood
- Food and water sources
- Tall grasses
Ways to Prevent a Cricket Infestation
- Keep your grass cut low.
- Keep an eye out for leaks and get rid of standing water. Moisture attracts crickets.
- Seal any cracks around your house to keep crickets from finding their way inside. You can refer to our scorpion home seal guide for ways to seal off your home from all manner of pests, including crickets.
- Keep the lights off as long as possible, because light attracts crickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kills crickets right away?
Diatomaceous earth (DE) has been shown to be a highly effective method for getting rid of crickets. You can purchase it at most hardware stores and apply it to the areas around baseboards and wall crevices. DE exterminates crickets that come into contact with it while still being non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets.
What will shut crickets up?
Interestingly enough, cool temperatures, lack of light, and eliminating clutter that poses as a hiding spot can all minimize chirping from crickets. Crickets quiet down when they sense a threat of any kind, so creating an environment that removes their comfort is key to keeping them quiet.
What attracts crickets in the house?
Crickets seek out environments that benefit their survival. They are especially drawn to high-moisture areas as these are most suitable for breeding and living.
Crickets also like bright lights and may swarm to porches and other sources of light. Likewise, they look for food sources and are attracted to fabrics such as wool, silk, and cotton, as well as food particles and sweat stains.
How do you get rid of a cricket infestation?
The most surefire way to eliminate a cricket infestation and prevent it from returning is through integrated pest management. Our team of expert exterminators at Insectek identify the problem and carry out the solution so that existing and future infestations are stopped in their tracks.
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