Content:
- Flying Cricket? Is it Possible for a Cricket to Fly?
- How High Can Cricket Jump?
- How Do Crickets Access My Home?
- What Do Crickets Feed On?
- Can I Prevent Crickets From Getting Inside?
- Conclusion
Most people associate crickets with the pleasant chirping sound that males make to attract females. These are common insects found across the United States.
Naturally, you are bound to find crickets and flying crickets in the fields since they mainly feed on things such as leaf litter, wild grasses, insects, and small weeds.
Crickets migrate in great numbers during late summer or fall because most of their natural food sources are drying up.
During their migration period, you will randomly bounce into them in your home, office spaces, or other buildings in their path.
Moreover, another trigger for their migration is during the summer rains after a period of drought.
Flying Cricket? Is It Possible For a Cricket to Fly?
Most people always wonder whether crickets jump or fly. It is not easy to understand if they’re flying or jumping when moving around.
Some crickets can use their wings to fly, but the majority of the crickets rely exclusively on their legs to move and jump around.
House and field crickets are the most common crickets that can fly and jump, and you will find them near building structures and homes. While their hind legs are more powerful and fully reliable, they can use their wings to fly when need be.
Crickets are nocturnal insects, which means it’s not easy to see them soaring around daytime. However, you will not miss these insects flying towards any source of light at night.
Camel crickets are different species from the field and house crickets. These crickets exclusively rely on their legs for movement, and so they can’t fly.
But because all these crickets have powerful back legs, they don’t necessarily need to fly as they can jump far distances besides reaching higher heights while jumping. You may wonder why some crickets have wings, yet they can’t fly. As much as wings are essential for flying, crickets’ wings are vital as they’re a communication medium.
Male crickets rub these wings together, producing a chirping sound to attract the female crickets.
Every cricket with wings uses them to produce this sound, but wingless crickets are known as silent insects. House and field crickets are most likely to access your house.
If there are any crickets in your home, you can be confident that they are either of the two species. Keep in mind that camel crickets are unique and different species from the other two, and they don’t have wings.
How High Can Crickets Jump?
In case you’re wondering if crickets can jump, then the answer is yes, all crickets can jump. However, different species have different jumping mechanisms.
You may find the distance that one species can cover with one leap is different from the other species.
You may find other species jumping higher and further almost 50 to 60 times their body lengths. At the same time, other crickets species can jump at least three feet high or 20 to 30 times their body length.
Crickets can jump very high and far thanks to their powerful legs. The size of their hind legs determines the distance the insects can cover with one leap.
If the hind legs are larger, then it’s given that they will cover more distance with one leap. Crickets rarely use their hind legs while walking. They’re usually raised above the ground and only rely on the other legs to help them jump.
Besides their back legs easing their takeoff, they act as shock absorbers to prevent them from falling as they land on their hind legs. Moreover, the position of their hind legs is to prepare for their next take-off quickly and easily.
Crickets prefer to start their jump with one leg, but they can move both legs simultaneously. Crickets are very flexible, and they can jump on any surface, including a glass pane, bed, or tiled floor.
Besides jumping, can crickets climb walls? This is another common question that most people always ask. Yes, crickets are very skilled when it comes to wall climbing. They are capable of climbing walls and other vertical surfaces with ease.
How Do Crickets Access My Home?
Shelter and food are the greatest motivators for pests to move into your house; the same is true with crickets.
The natural habitat of the crickets is outside homes, but if you find these insects inside your home, chances are very high that your home is conducive for them to survive.
The bright outdoor lights on your building or home attract these insects inside your home or building. Additionally, poorly sealed doors, windows, moisture in and around your home, and gaps around utility lines are the main contributors for the insects to access your home.
Besides, too much rain and drought also contribute to crickets accessing your home.
What Do Crickets Feed On?
House crickets can feed on anything, meaning they are omnivorous insects. In the wild, you will find these crickets feeding on insects, rotting fruit, and vegetables.
When these crickets invade your house, they will feed on wallpaper glue and a variety of fabrics. Naturally, these crickets will prefer to feed on natural materials such as silk and wool.
Can I Prevent Crickets From Getting Inside?
Some cultures don’t mind the chirping sound of the crickets. They see them as a good fortune. However, the chirping sound from the insects may be more annoying to you than luck.
You can consider these few steps to help in getting rid of the crickets from your house:
- Clear any tall grass or weeds from your home.
- To avoid attracting house and field crickets, use yellow lights or minimize outdoor lighting.
- Ensure no gaps around your foundation, ground floor window frames, doors and other entry points.
- Ensure there are no damp areas inside your home. You can use a fan or dehumidifier to dry those areas to keep Camel crickets from these damp spaces.
- Clean up boxes, paper, and clutter to minimize the hiding places for crickets
Conclusion
Besides crickets being adept wall climbers and jumpers, some species of crickets can occasionally fly. But their primary movement is by legs.
So if you have crickets in your house, remember they are powerful jumpers. They can be frustrating but they’re not harmful!
But if you’ve been struggling with crickets around your home and the Do it Yourself (DIY) methods aren’t working, it’s time to contact a professional exterminator.
They’re experts in getting rid of crickets and the annoying chirping sound for good. Are you struggling with crickets flying in your home? Leave a comment and share this blog post with your friends!
