Phoenix Homeowners' Complete Guide To Cricket Control

Is it a cricket or a grasshopper? Many people confuse the two, but really the difference is clear. Grasshoppers are much bigger in every way save one, their antenna. The crickets’ antenna is longer. Of course, crickets wear clothes and star in Disney movies, so it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out. 

The Cricket Serenade

It’s 2 AM and Jiminy Cricket is serenading you with his famous “When You Wish Upon a Star” at that moment your dreams are far from coming true. Ugh! What to do? You should probably call Green Home Pest Control. Well, not at 2 AM, but in a few hours. The common house cricket is an interesting little bug. The male is the only one that ‘sings’. This is a mating call that is done by rubbing their front wings together. Some other ways to identify a cricket are:

• Light yellowish-brown in color with three stripes on their head.

• ¾-? inches long.

• Have thread-like antennae that are often longer than their body.

• Six legs.

• Nymphs (youth) look the same, but without the wings.

The Problems That Come Along With Crickets

Besides the obnoxious singing (no offense Jiminy), there are some other ways crickets cause problems. While they do not pose a health risk to humans or pets, they will damage your property. They like to feast on your textiles. Their favorites are wool, cotton, silk, and synthetics. Much like a moth or carpet beetle, they will leave holes in your upholstery or favorite wool coat. They will also damage your wallpaper and book bindings, because they are attracted to the starch in the glue.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Crickets

The fastest and certainly the least frustrating way to get rid of crickets on your Phoenix property is by contacting a pest control company. Green Home Pest Control will happily explain to Jiminy that he needs to go away. We offer free in-home estimates to help us determine which service plan will best accommodate your needs. With over 30 years of experience under our belt, we know we can help. The initial service visit is designed to interrupt the life cycles of the pests in your home, from egg larvae to adult. This visit also includes HotSpot treatments for high traffic pest areas. We understand that everyone is operating on different schedules and have different needs. We are flexible, and willing to work with you.

How To Prevent Crickets From Getting Into Your Phoenix Home

Crickets are attracted to warm moist air, which is why for the most part you will find them in basements or other equally damp areas. They can survive indefinitely inside your house if they choose to, but usually, there is plenty of food outside in the summer months. The winter is when they tend to come indoors for warmth. You can do your part to discourage crickets from entering your home by:

• Change outdoor lighting to yellow bug lights. They are highly attracted to normal lighting, sometimes by the thousands.

• Mow lawns frequently.

• Remove most debris that is near the house.

• Vacuum carpets, and around baseboards, to suck up any eggs.

• Seal up any cracks or holes in your outer walls or foundation.

• Have good ventilation in crawl spaces, attics, and basements.

• Use a dehumidifier.

Most of the items on this list are easy to accomplish and doable in one day. We don’t promise that this will completely halt your cricket problem, but it should slow it down. The only way to eliminate the problem is with professional assistance. Contact us to learn more about our cricket control and prevention services.