Content:
- How To Identify House Crickets
- House Cricket Habitat
- House Cricket Mating Habits
- House Cricket Life Cycle
- House Cricket Diet
- House Cricket as Food
- What Kind of Damage Can House Crickets Cause?
- Summary
Is that a cricket in the house? You bet it is, and it might be more than one! House crickets are common indoor pests, and while they may not pose a major threat to your health, they can be a nuisance.
This comprehensive guide will help you identify house crickets, learn about their habits, and take steps to get rid of them. Don’t let these little critters take over your home – read on to find out how to get rid of them!
How To Identify House Crickets
The house cricket, Acheta domesticus, is a common sight in homes around the world. These little insects are most likely native to Southwestern Asia, but they became the standard feeder insect for the pet and research industries between 1950 and 2000, and they spread worldwide. They can also be kept as pets, as has been done in China and Japan.
House crickets are small insects and are a common sight in gardens and fields. Their distinctive song is a part of the soundtrack of summer. House cricket is one of the most common types of cricket, and it can be found in temperate regions around the world.
These small insects are typically gray or brownish in color, and they grow to a length of 16-21 millimeters (0.63-0.83 in). Males and females have similar appearances, but females have an ovipositor that emerges from the back and is about 12 millimeters (0.47 in) long.
The ovipositor is brown-black in color, with two appendages surrounding it. The cerci are also more visible in males. House crickets typically live for about two months, and during that time they voraciously eat plant matter, as well as other small insects.
While they are considered to be pests by some, house crickets play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to control the population of other insects. They are also a popular food source for birds, lizards, and spiders.
House Cricket Habitat
House cricket, is a type of cricket with a wide range of natural habitats. The insects are commonly found in woodlands, caves, pastures, fields, beneath logs and rocks, and on the sides of roads.
They also like to nest inside piles of wood, brick, and stones. House crickets are fairly common across much of the globe and are especially common in areas east of the Great Plains in the United States. The insects prefer damp and soggy areas that are overgrown with weeds, tall grasses, and mulch.
In fact, they are so fond of damp areas that they have been known to invade homes in search of moisture. While they are generally harmless, house crickets can be a nuisance if they become too numerous.
House crickets got their common name from their proclivity for hanging out near humans. They are very drawn to warmth, and will most likely stay where they can get enough food and moisture.
Not surprisingly, then, house crickets are commonly found in and around homes and commercial buildings. They’re also fond of trash dumps, siding, and ducts, near furnaces, water heaters, skylights on roofs, in kitchens, and near fireplaces.
In other words, if there’s a warm, damp spot in or around your home, there’s a good chance you’ll find a house cricket there.
House Cricket Mating Habits
The house cricket is a relatively innocuous creature that most people never think twice about. But these small animals actually have some pretty interesting mating habits. For one thing, male house crickets will sing to attract mates.
The males will rub their wings together to create a chirping sound that can carry for long distances. The bigger and more fit the male, the more attractive his singing will be to females. Once a female is attracted, the two crickets will mate. But the female isn’t always willing – she may try to escape or even fight back.
The male will hold her down with his body until she submits. Then, he’ll use a special appendage called an aedeagus to deposit his sperm inside her body. Afterward, the pair will go their separate ways and the female will lay her eggs in a safe place.
House Cricket Life Cycle
These common insects are found in homes all over the world. While they may not be welcome guests, it’s interesting to learn more about their habits and lifecycles.
For example, did you know that house crickets can complete their life cycle in a very short time? And that they don’t have a special overwintering stage?
At a balmy of 26 to 32 degrees Celsius, these critters can complete their life cycle in a mere two to three months. But don’t be fooled by their lack of winter hardiness – house crickets can survive cold snaps by huddling up in and around buildings, or in warm, fermenting dumps. It’s all about finding the right microclimate.
When it comes time to lay their eggs, house crickets are pretty resourceful, using any moist substrate that’s available. Juveniles look a lot like adults, except for their smaller size and lack of wings.
They can, however, survive cold weather by taking refuge in and around buildings or in dumps where heat from fermentation may keep them alive.
House Cricket Diet
The humble cricket is often thought of as nothing more than a nuisance, but these hardy little insects play an important role in the ecosystem.
As omnivores, they consume both plant and animal matter, helping to break down organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the soil. In the wild, crickets are known to eat a wide variety of items, including flowers, seeds, leaves, fruits, grasses, and other insects. They will even eat dead members of their own species!
However, crickets in captivity can be a bit pickier. They will still eat fruits and vegetables (e.g., apples, oranges, bananas), grains (e.g., oatmeal, cornmeal, cooked corncobs, alfalfa), wheat germ, rice cereal), and various pet foods – but they prefer not to eat commercial cricket food if given the choice.
House Cricket as Food
Did you know that there’s an extremely popular edible insect that’s been quietly gaining ground in kitchens all around the world? It’s the house cricket, and it’s said to have a superior taste and texture compared to many native cricket species.
If you’re thinking that dry-roasting sounds like the most common and nutritious method of preparation, you’d be correct – though they are also frequently sold deep-fried. And if you’re wondering what cricket flour is, it’s simply House crickets that have been freeze-dried and ground into a powder.
Who knew that such a tiny creature could be so versatile? The next time you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen, why not give the humble house cricket a try? You might just be pleasantly surprised.
What Kind of Damage Can House Crickets Cause?
House crickets may be small, but they can cause a lot of damage. They are attracted to light, so they often find their way into homes through open doors and windows. Once inside, they will eat just about anything, including fabric, paper, and even hair.
They also like to congregate in groups, so an infestation can quickly get out of control. In addition to damaging property, house crickets can also carry disease. They are known to transmit food poisoning and salmonella, so it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Thankfully, there are a number of effective ways to get rid of house crickets. Setting out traps is one of the most popular methods, but insecticides can also be used. Whichever method you choose, getting rid of these pesky pests is sure to provide some relief.
Summary
So, there you have it – everything you ever wanted to know about house crickets. We hope you found this guide helpful and that it has answered any questions you may have had about these little critters.
If not, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to help out.
Thanks for reading!
