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Crickets

What Do Crickets Look Like?

The three most common cricket species in New England are the field cricket, house cricket, and camel (cave) cricket. Although all have similar body shapes and long antennae, each has unique characteristics.

Field crickets are about an inch long with brown to black bodies and rounded wings. On the other hand, house crickets are around the size of a penny with long pointed wings. They are a light yellowish-brown color with three dark bands on their heads. Camel crickets are similar in length, but tan in color with humped backs and no wings.

Cricket vs Grasshopper

The main difference between a grasshopper and a cricket is that crickets tend to have long antennae, grasshoppers have short antennae. Crickets stridulate (“sing”) by rubbing their wings together, while grasshoppers stridulate by rubbing their long hind legs against their wings. Not much of a difference.

How Can I Tell if I Have a Cricket Problem?

Crickets are most likely to enter homes and businesses in late summer to fall. Watch out for these clues if you think you have an infestation:

  • Sighting – You might spot crickets hopping around at night. Depending on the species, they can be anywhere from the basement to the bedroom.
  • Noises – Male field and house crickets rub their front wings together to make distinctive chirping sounds. You may wonder why do crickets chirp. It’s important to the species since those chirps  attract potential mates.
  • Holes – Crickets eat fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, and wool, as well as paper. They prefer materials with sweat or food remnants on them.
  • Cricket Eggs – Crickets lay their eggs in moist conditions, and they are tiny in size. Their color varies based on the species, with the most common color being light brown. But if you do see them, this is an indication that there are definitely crickets around.

How Do Crickets Get Inside Homes and Businesses?

Considered accidental invaders, this pest may come into your house through dryer vents and crawl spaces. Crickets can also slip in through cracks in foundations and gaps around window frames and doors. Sometimes they might even hitch a ride on a pet or your clothing.

Crickets in your house? Bright outdoor lights attract crickets, so any store or restaurant with a lit sign may draw them. Since they feed on a variety of items, including fabric, paper, and other insects, these pests can find plenty to eat in warehouses, storage facilities, dry cleaners, and hotels – and homes. High-traffic entrances also make it easy for them to sneak in.

Are Crickets Dangerous?

Crickets don’t spread disease. However, their mouthparts can pinch your skin if you handle them roughly. The biggest problem with these pests is the damage that they are capable of causing if left unchecked. Additionally, while you may enjoy crickets chirping outside, the noise might be a nuisance indoors.

Companies with cricket infestations can lose money due to inventory losses. Think about what do crickets eat. This pest could eat stored and packaged food in restaurants and supermarkets, leaving it unusable. Pests may also disturb hotel patrons and apartment residents with their signature cricket sounds, leading to poor reviews and lost revenue.

How Can I Prevent Cricket Infestations?

Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture and seal up any cracks or spaces that crickets may pass through. These pests sometimes multiply quickly since some species can breed indoors. If you have an issue with crickets, call Waltham Pest Services and speak to a professional.

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