Key Takeaways:
- Seal entry points and exterior gaps to block crickets from entering.
- Reduce moisture and humidity to make the environment uninhabitable for crickets.
- Clear away outdoor debris and vegetation where crickets nest and hide.
- Use physical traps and vacuums for immediate cricket population reduction.
- Remove accessible food sources and nesting materials like cardboard and fabric.
What Should You Do If You Have Crickets in Your House?
How do you know when cricket season on Long Island has started? You might begin to hear theย chirp chirp chirpย thatโs impossible to ignore, no matter how hard you try. Crickets are relatively harmless โ they donโt bite or sting, donโt have any venom, and have only a limited capacity for destruction โ but they sure can be annoying.
Cricket problems can be stubborn, too, which is why weโve put together these recommendations. Follow theseย tips on how to get rid of crickets and prevent them from coming back.
How Do You Eliminate a Cricket Infestation?
Got an active cricket problem that sounds like a chirping orchestra every evening after the sun goes down? You probably want to get rid of them fast. We recommend trying a combination of these methods, as every cricket infestation is different, and itโs difficult to know what will work best for you.
- Vacuum Everything:ย Suck up visible crickets and eggs with a shop vac, then immediately empty the bag/canister into a sealed outdoor trash can.
- Set Glue Traps:ย Place heavy-duty sticky boards along baseboards, behind appliances, and in dark corners to catch them while they roam at night.
- Apply Desiccants:ย Dust Diatomaceous Earth or boric acid into cracks, crevices, and behind furniture to dehydrate and kill them on contact.
- Switch to Plastic Bins:ย Replace all cardboard boxes with airtight plastic tubs to remove their primary food source and nesting spots.
- Deploy Residual Sprays:ย Apply an indoor-rated insecticide spray along the perimeter of the room and entry points to kill any crickets crossing the “line.”
- Soapy Water Spray:ย Keep a spray bottle of soapy water handy to kill individual crickets instantly without using harsh chemicals.
How to Prevent Crickets in Your House
OK, letโs say youโve gotten rid of the crickets in your house. Congratulations! The next step is enacting prevention measures so they canโt come back. Hereโs what you should do:
- Seal Entry Points:ย Caulk cracks in foundations and gaps around windows or door frames. Install or replace worn weatherstripping on exterior doors. Youโll not only see fewer crickets, but also help prevent roaches, sowbugs, pillbugs, centipedes, silverfish, and other common household pests!
- Manage Lighting:ย Switch outdoor bulbs to yellow “bug lights” or sodium vapor lamps, which are less attractive to crickets. Keep blinds closed at night to block indoor light.
- Maintain the Yard:ย Mow the lawn regularly and trim tall weeds or dense ground cover away from the house. Move woodpiles, mulch, and compost at least 20 feet from the foundation.
- Clean Gutters:ย Remove damp leaves and organic debris from gutters where crickets often nest and feed.
- Reduce Clutter:ย Clear out stacks of cardboard, old newspapers, and magazines, as these provide both shelter and a food source.
How to Prevent Crickets in Your Basement
Crickets love basements. Crickets love basements in particular when theyโre similar to a caveโdark and damp. Itโs a common place to find them.
This also means you need some basement-specific cricket prevention tips to make sure they stay out. If youโve had crickets in your basement in the past, hereโs what you should do to prevent them from coming back:
- Run a Dehumidifier:ย Maintain humidity levels below 50%. Crickets (especially “spider crickets”) thrive in damp environments and will leave if the air is dry.
- Upgrade Storage:ย Swap cardboard boxes for airtight plastic bins. Crickets can eat through cardboard and hide in the folds.
- Check Floor Drains:ย Ensure floor drains and sump pump covers are sealed or screened to prevent crickets from crawling up through the pipes.
- Ventilation:ย Ensure crawlspaces and basements are properly ventilated to prevent moisture buildup in corners.
- Sticky Traps:ย Place glue traps along baseboards and in dark corners to catch crickets.
What Kind of Crickets Are Found on Long Island?
Overall, in the United States, there are over 120 different species of crickets. On Long Island, you may find the following inside your home:
What Damage Do Crickets Cause?
Crickets cause surprising damage. Each of the three species common to Long Island is known for damaging fabrics like silk and wool, to name a couple, as well as paper, fruits, and vegetables. House crickets are the type of cricket youโll most likely see inside your home, and these crickets usually invade in large numbers, which can be overwhelming to control and cause significant damage quickly.
What Attracts Crickets into My House?
When crickets move inside Long Island homes, theyโre usually in search of warmth and moisture. Thatโs why most often, youโll find them in your homeโs basement, crawl space, shed, or garage in dark, damp areas. Itโs always a good idea to minimize moisture in these areas to deter crickets and other pests.
What Do Crickets Eat?
Many crickets are omnivores: they eat fruit, nectar, seeds, small insects, some leaves, and will even nibble on dead larger animals. For food, camel crickets consume wood, carpet, fungi, cardboard, other insects, and even other camel crickets in some instances.
Eliminate Crickets in Your Long Island Home!
Tried DIY and ready to let the professionals have a try? Our residential exterminators are ready to help. We will correctly identify the invading pest and create a pest control solution to cover all phases of extermination.
If you are experiencing a cricket infestation,ย please contact Suburban Exterminating!
