*Chirp–Chirp–Chirp–* A cricket is inside your home again, but where? You have no idea how he got in, or why he chose your house to haunt with his high pitched melody, but he’s here now, and it doesn’t seem like he’s going away any time soon. The only chance you have of a peaceful night’s sleep is to find, kill, or catch and release the annoying noisemaker. If you have dealt with a situation like this around your Phoenix home, you know how big of a problem these noisy pests are. To help you prevent , here are some things you should know.
What Is A House Cricket?
A house cricket is not any cricket that gets into a home; it is a specific species of cricket that invades home more commonly than the rest. This yellowish-brown pest is ¾ to ?” long, has wings, and is easily identified by the three dark crossbands on its head. The familiar chirping sound associated with these pests is only produced by the males and is used to attract a mate.
Why Do Crickets Invade Homes?
House crickets live primarily on a diet of other insects. If their food enters into a home, crickets will follow. The fewer pest problems your home has, the less likely you will have trouble with crickets. Crickets will also invade homes during times of inclement weather or unfavorable exterior conditions. Keep in mind that your home has a controlled environment. If it is too hot, too cold, or storming outside, crickets will look for the safest place around to find shelter.
What Problems Do House Crickets Cause?
The sound of a thousand crickets chirping into the midnight wind is a beautiful melody. A single cricket chirping every ten minutes at 3 AM, is more like a toddler trying to play the violin. If you value a peaceful night’s sleep, a cricket is the last pest you want inside your home.
If making noise and disturbing sleep wasn’t enough, house crickets also carry and spread several dangerous disease-causing organisms and chew on fabrics throughout homes. This type of behavior is not just threatening to you as a homeowner and your family but also to your clothing, drapes, and carpets.
Prevention Tips For Crickets
Crickets are drawn to areas of high moisture and to places where their food (other insects) congregate. To prevent crickets around your property, you have to address these two attractants. Here are some helpful prevention tips our experts recommend.
- Make sure your home’s crawlspaces and basement are properly ventilated.
- Use an indoor dehumidifier around particularly humid areas.
- Keep your grass cut short and your landscaping well-maintained.
- Weed plant beds.
- Store woodpiles at least 30 feet from your home’s exterior.
- Keep exterior lights turned off at night or invest in yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lamps, which are less attractive to insects.
- Use a caulking gun or some liquid cement to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in the exterior of your home.
- Repair or replace window/door screens, door sweeps, and damaged or improperly installed weatherstripping.
A Better Way To Handle Crickets
Crickets are tricky pests to treat for and prevent. If you are looking for an easier way to eliminate and exclude these annoying and dangerous pests, let the experts at Green Home Pest Control help. Our team of trained technicians is equipped with technologies and trained in only the most effective exclusion methods and pest elimination strategies. If you need assistance with any pest-related problem, we are here to help.
Call or reach out through our website today to discuss your options or to get a quote for your Phoenix home and property.
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21 years of pest control experience
Founder and Owner of Green Home Pest Control
13 year resident of Arizona
