You’re winding down for the night in your Arizona home, maybe even cracking the window to let in some fresh air, when out of nowhere, you hear it. The nonstop chirping. Chances are, a cricket found its way in… and it might not be alone.
We get this question a lot: “Are crickets attracted to light?” If it feels like they show up the second the porch lights come on, you’re not imagining it.
Let’s break down why they’re drawn to light and how your home’s lighting setup could be inviting them inside.
Key Takeaways
- Bright lights near doors and windows can pull in house crickets, field crickets, and other night-loving insects.
- Yellow or amber LED bulbs attract fewer bugs than white bulbs and help keep crickets away from your porch.
- Damp basements, crawl spaces, tall grass, and mulch beds often give crickets shelter, food, and easy ways inside.
- A solid pest control plan blocks entry points, handles moisture and food sources, and stops crickets from coming back.
Is Your Outdoor Lighting Bringing in Crickets?
Yes, many types of crickets, including house crickets and field crickets, are phototactic, which means they’re naturally drawn to bright lights, especially at night. This behavior is common in male crickets, which are also the ones making all that noise.
Now let’s talk about how your home’s lighting—and a few overlooked areas—might be contributing to your cricket problem.
Outdoor Lighting Near Entry Points
That porch light you flip on for guests or to see your keys at night?
It could be a beacon for house crickets and field crickets, especially during warmer months in Phoenix or Tucson. These insects are often drawn to outdoor lighting and will gather near light sources where they find food sources like other bugs.
If you’ve got cracks, crevices, or gaps around your windows or doors, that’s all the invitation they need.
Homeowners can help keep crickets outside by sealing up those entry points with caulk and weather stripping. And if you’re serious about keeping bugs from swarming your porch light, try switching to yellow-tinted or amber-filtered LEDs.
A study from the Smithsonian found they attract about 60% fewer insects than regular white bulbs.
Garage, Crawl Spaces, and Basement Windows
Crickets don’t just wander into your home. They actively search for cool, damp areas like crawl spaces and basements. These are ideal hiding spots, especially if they’re dark during the day but lit up at night.
Combine that with moisture from leaky pipes or poor ventilation, and you’ve got an environment that attracts crickets in large numbers.
We’ve seen homes where just one missed gap leads to a full-blown cricket infestation.
A good pest control strategy here includes sealing gaps, managing moisture, and even using a dehumidifier if you’ve had issues with damp areas before.
Light Reflecting Off Tall Grass and Mulch Beds
If you’ve got overgrown areas in the yard, think tall grass or heavy mulch beds, you’re offering both shelter and a buffet.
Crickets use these spots as hiding places during the day. When outdoor lighting hits these areas at night, it draws out both crickets and their prey, keeping the ecosystem active around your home.
Even camel crickets and cave crickets, which are more common in shaded or hidden areas, can be drawn closer to your home through lighting that reflects off moist mulch or wet grass.
Indoor Lighting and Nighttime Activity
A lot of Arizona homeowners don’t realize how easy it is for crickets to sneak inside once the sun goes down. Chirping sounds from inside the house often start with crickets slipping through unsealed windows or doors left ajar.
They may follow light sources indoors, especially in rooms where you’ve left the lights on, like bathrooms, laundry rooms, or the kitchen.
Here’s another tip: don’t leave pet food out overnight. It’s a surprising but common food source that attracts crickets and cockroaches. And once they find a meal, they’re less likely to leave.
To keep them away, check for crevices around window frames, baseboards, or even outlets. These hiding spots are perfect for small pests like crickets.
Still Hearing Chirping? Let Us Help
At Green Home Pest Control, we know how frustrating cricket problems can be, especially when you’re losing sleep to chirping and can’t figure out where it’s coming from. Our professional pest control technicians don’t just help you get rid of crickets.
We work with you to create a long-term pest management plan that seals off entry points, removes food and moisture sources, and keeps crickets (and other pests like termites and cockroaches) out for good.
DIY fixes might offer short-term relief, but crickets often return unless the root issues are addressed.
Call us today to schedule your inspection, and let’s talk about a pest control service that works for your peace of mind and your sleep.
