Content:
- Why Do Crickets Infest Garage?
- Do Crickets Cause Damage?
- 5 Ways How To Get Rid of Crickets in Garage
- How To Prevent Crickets in Garage
- Conclusion
If you’ve ever had a cricket infestation in your garage, you know how pesky and frustrating they can be. Not only do they make an annoying noise, but they can also damage property.
In this post, we’ll give you some tips on how to get rid of crickets and keep them from coming back.
Why Do Crickets Infest Garage?
Crickets are one of those insects that you either love or hate. There’s no in-between. Some people find their incessant chirping calming, while others find it downright annoying. But there’s no denying that crickets are interesting creatures.
Did you know, for instance, that there are hundreds of different species in the cricket family? Two of the most prevalent varieties of noisy crickets in the United States are house crickets (Acheta domesticus) and field crickets (Gryllus spp.).
House crickets can reach a length of around 3/4 inches and are often yellowish or brownish in color. Field crickets can grow up to 1 1/2 inches long, are black, and are often a little bigger than house crickets. If you’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with a cricket infestation, then you know how difficult it can be to get rid of.
Although field and house crickets can both live outside, they are often drawn to warm, lighted spaces like garages – especially if those garages have easy access to food and water. So, why are crickets so attracted to garages? Well, for one thing, they’re nocturnal creatures, so a lighted garage is like a beacon in the night.
Additionally, crickets enjoy eating organic waste like food scraps or wilting plants – and what’s more organic than a ripe apple that’s been sitting in the sun for a few days? They also love chewing on natural fibers like cotton, wool, silk, and linen – especially if those fabrics are stained with food or perspiration.
Finally, crickets are drawn to water sources like pet bowls or dripping pipes.
Do Crickets Cause Damage?
If you thought cockroaches were bad, just wait until you meet their smaller, equally creepy cousin: the cricket. These little buggers are not only a nuisance, but they can also pose a serious health hazard to humans and animals alike.
Crickets are voracious eaters and will pretty much consume anything in their path, including other insects, plants, and even small animals.
They’ve also been known to chew on paper and cardboard – so if you find tiny holes in your important documents, there’s a good chance a cricket is to blame. And if that wasn’t enough, these insects can also spread diseases like salmonella and E. coli through their feces.
So, if you do come into contact with a cricket, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
5 Ways How To Get Rid of Crickets in Garage
Soap Water
If you’re one of the many people who have found crickets in their garage, you may be wondering how to get rid of them. Luckily, there is a simple and effective solution: soap and water. Mixing these two ingredients together creates a substance that is highly lethal to crickets.
Simply wet a sponge with the soap and water mixture and scrub it along the cricket-infested areas. The crickets will quickly perish, leaving your garage cricket-free. Best of all, this method is completely safe for humans and pets.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is an all-natural way to get rid of pests, and it’s particularly effective against crickets.
To use diatomaceous earth to get rid of crickets in your garage, simply sprinkle it around the perimeter of the room. The sharp edges of the diatomaceous earth will cut through the cricket’s exoskeleton, causing it to dehydrate and die.
You can also put some diatomaceous earth in a small container and set it inside your garage. The crickets will be attracted to the container and will crawl inside, where they will be trapped by the diatomaceous earth.
Either way, you can be sure that your garage will be cricket-free in no time!
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a common household item that can be used for a variety of purposes, including getting rid of crickets in your garage. When applied to surfaces where crickets travel, boric acid acts as an insecticide, killing them on contact.
To use boric acid for cricket control, simply sprinkle it liberally around the perimeter of your garage and along any cracks or crevices where crickets may enter.
You can also try baiting crickets with a mixture of boric acid and sugar, which they will be attracted to but will ultimately die from. Whether you choose to spray or bait, boric acid is an effective and inexpensive way to get rid of crickets in your garage.
Insect Repellent Spray
Just a few quick spritzes will send those critters running for the hills. Plus, it’s a great way to keep them from coming back. Here are a few tips for using insect repellent spray to get rid of crickets in your garage:
1. Make sure to target all the nooks and crannies where the crickets like to hide. Pay special attention to dark corners and beneath cabinets and shelving.
2. Give the area good spraying, making sure to cover every square inch. If you can, try to do this in the evening when the crickets are most active.
3. You may need to reapply the insect repellent spray every few days to keep the crickets away. But eventually, they’ll give up and find someplace else to hang out.
Cricket Traps
Another way to get rid of crickets in garage is to use some common household items to make your own cricket traps. All you need is a little bit of time and patience, and soon those pesky critters will be gone for good.
One popular method is to use a small container, such as a plastic cup, and fill it with about an inch of water. Then, take a piece of cardboard or paper and make a small funnel. Place the funnel in the opening of the container, and wait for the crickets to crawl in.
Another simple trap uses a plastic bottle. Just cut off the top of the bottle, inverting it so that the bottom becomes the top. Then, put some food – such as carrots, cucumbers, or lettuce – inside, and place the bottle in an area where you’ve seen crickets. The insects will crawl in, but won’t be able to get back out.
Sooner or later, you’ll have caught all the crickets in your garage – and best of all, you didn’t have to spend a cent on an exterminator.
How To Prevent Crickets in Garage
One of the best ways to prevent crickets from taking up residence in your garage is to keep it clean. Crickets are attracted to dark, moist, and cluttered areas, so a clean and well-organized garage is less likely to be appealing to them. Be sure to sweep and mop regularly, and keep any storage boxes off the floor.
Another way to deter crickets is to store all food properly. Crickets are attracted to food sources, so if you have any open bags of chips or boxes of cereal in your garage, chances are good that crickets will find them. Be sure to store all food in airtight containers, and keep any garbage cans tightly sealed.
Crickets can enter your garage through even the smallest of cracks, so it’s important to seal up any openings that you may have. Be sure to check around doors and windows, as well as any other potential entry points such as vents or gaps in the foundation. Once you’ve found any cracks, seal them up with caulk or another suitable material.
Finally, don’t forget that insecticides, ultrasonic devices, and natural repellents can also be used to prevent crickets in your garage.
Conclusion
It’s not always easy getting rid of pests, but with a little knowledge and effort, it can be done.
Try out these five ways to get rid of crickets in your garage, and say goodbye to those pesky critters for good!
