Crickets—More of an Annoyance Than a Pest

Crickets are insects related to grasshoppers and katydids (order Orthoptera). They have somewhat flattened bodies and long antennae.

They're known for the loud chirping noises they make by rubbing their corrugated wing casings against combs on their hind legs. They get their name from that high-pitched sound or "chirp" produced when the male rubs his front wings together to attract a female.

There are about 900 species known in the world. They are popular pets in Asia, especially China.

They may be invasive to the home, which makes them a pest.

Inside your home, they will feed on various natural fabrics, foods, and paper products.

Cotton, linen, wool, silk and furs are susceptible, along with soiled fabrics, sizing from wallpaper, glue from bookbindings, fruit, vegetables, and meat.

The true cricket species resemble longhorned grasshoppers because they have long tapering antennae, singing organs on the front wings of the male and hearing organs on the 4th leg segment.

True Cricket Species

• House—Adults are about 3/4 to 7/8 inch (1.9-2.2 cm) long, light yellowish-brown
• Field—Adults range in size from 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches (1.25-3.1 cm) long depending on the species, are usually black-colored
• Ground—Adults resemble house and field species but are much smaller, usually less than 1/2 inch long, and brownish
• Snowy Tree—Adults are about 5/6 to 7/8 inch (2.1-2.2 cm) long, pale yellowish—green or whitish shaded pale green
• Camel—Adults, sometimes called cave or cellar crickets, are a little over 3/4 inch long, light tan to dark brown
• Northern Mole—Adults are 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches (1.25-3.1 cm) long, brownish to blackish-brown. Their broad front legs are adapted for digging

Cricket Control and Prevention Measures

An occasional one or two in the home usually presents no serious problem. But if you find several, you'll want to get them out sooner rather than later.

You can control crickets with Nosema locustae, a parasitic protozoan.

Spraying with citrus-based sprays also works. Or use a home brew of equal parts of compost tea, orange oil and molasses. Mix 2 ounces per gallon of water (57 ml per 3.8 liters) if the spray will go on plants. Use 4 ounces per gallon (115 ml per 3.8 liters) if only hard surfaces will be sprayed.

Of course, prevention is far more effective than control. Here are a few ways to prevent crickets from bothering your household.

• Sanitation and tidiness—clean up food spills, and don't leave clothes lying on the floor.
• Make sure that all windows and doors are tight-fitting with proper screening in place.
• Never store firewood next to the house foundation.
• Raise garbage cans off the ground, if practical.
• Trash and dumpsters should be placed away from the building.

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