Content:
- How to Identify Crickets
- Different Kinds of Indoor Crickets
- DIY Indoor Cricket Trap Ideas
- How to Prevent Indoor Cricket Infestations
- Conclusion
There are over 900 species of living crickets, and they play a massive role in the ecosystem. Plus, they are often consumed in some parts of the world as an inexpensive protein source. These creatures become highly comfortable in warm climates and are frequently found in swarms.
However, when the environmental conditions are colder, they tend to move indoors, where it is warmer, so they can thrive. The insects are also attracted to household materials like silk, cotton, wool, and other synthetic fabrics to create warmth and build a comfortable space for breeding.
Indeed, chirping crickets on a fantastic evening can be soothing for some, but they are a massive disturbance for others. Though it is rare for your home to be infested with crickets, it is not impossible. In some cultures, like in China and Japan, crickets represent good luck and fortune, and people go out of their way to listen to the same sound many would kill to get rid of.
In this article, you’ll learn more about crickets and their behavior, how to make DIY cricket traps, and ways to prevent a cricket infestation. Read on to discover more.
How to Identify Crickets
Crickets resemble other insects like grasshoppers, cockroaches, and earwigs, and it’s no surprise since they are all in the order orthoptera.
However, the distinct features of crickets include:
- A cylindrical body
- Long antennae
- powerful back legs
- Round head
- Double spikes at the end of the abdomen
- Males make chirping sounds in some species.
Different Kinds of Indoor Crickets
The most common types of indoor cricket pests include
- Field cricket
These are black or dark brown species of crickets of the Gryllus family. These insects are mostly found outdoors, but they may go into homes during cold weather conditions to seek warmth. They are also attracted to bright lights at night and are half an inch long.
- House cricket
As the name implies, house crickets, in all stages, can live in buildings. They are yellowish brown with triple dark brown bands on their heads. They tend to go outdoors in warm climates and are about an inch long. They also damage household items in damp or moist areas.
- Ground cricket
Ground crickets are reddish brown or black and are smaller than half an inch. Their smaller size makes it easier to enter homes, and the males of this species have higher-pitched chirps.
- Camel cricket
These are called camel crickets because of their hunched-back appearance when viewed from the side. They are wingless but share similar features with other cricket species, like their strong hind legs and long antennae. They are usually as big as 1.5 inches in length, and they hide in caves and can enter buildings during the winter.
- Mole cricket
These insects are burrowers since they have shovel-like forelimbs to dig up the soil. They look like moles, are light brown, and are found in large amounts in the southeast region of the United States. They live underground and can gain entry into homes when their natural homes are flooded. These crickets do not cause any noticeable damage at home.
DIY Indoor Cricket Trap Ideas
Glass Jar Cricket trap
You can make the easiest cricket trap with bait since you must purchase new materials.
Things you need
- Newspapers
- Granulated sugar
- Breadcrumbs
- Empty jar
Instructions
- Mix equal parts of the sugar and breadcrumbs.
- Place a piece of newspaper on the ground.
- Pour the breadcrumb-sugar mixture into the newspaper.
- Cover the setup with another newspaper.
- Leave this on the floor for about 24 hours.
The next day, you’ll find a lot of crickets when you remove the top piece of newspaper, and you can trap them in an empty jar. If you also have a cricket infestation in your garden,
- Dig a hole outside.
- Put a plastic jar inside the hole.
- Pour the breadcrumb-sugar mixture into the jar.
- Cover with a newspaper and set aside for 24 hours.
You should find a handful of crickets in your trap, and you can immediately trap them by screwing the lid on the glass jar.
Plastic Soda Bottle Trap
Things you need
- Empty plastic soda bottle
- Scissors or knife
- Breadcrumb-sugar mixture
Instructions
- Using the knife or scissors, cut the top 1/3rd of the bottle.
- Pour the breadcrumb-sugar mixture into the bottom of the bottle.
- Invert the top of the bottle to the bottom such that it looks like a funnel.
- Glue the top and bottom parts together.
- Place the bottle on its side in suspected cricket zones.
The cricket will be drawn to the bait and remain stuck in the bottle until you trash it.
Paper Roll Bait Trap
Things you need
- Empty paper towel roll
- Sweet bait
- Newspapers
Instructions
- Place the sweet bait on the newspaper and put it on a flat surface.
- Place the paper towel roll on top of the newspaper where the bait is.
Crickets will jump into the paper roll, but they cannot jump out.
Empty Aluminum Can Traps
Things you need
- Empty can of juice with some content in it
Instructions
- Place the can in the room where you think the cricket might be hiding, and place it on its side to the floor.
- Crickets are attracted to the sweet smell and would go inside the can. This traps them and prevents their escape.
Syrup Trap
Things you need
- Small, shallow bowl
- Syrup
Instructions
- Pour syrup into it so that the bottom of the bowl is covered with it.
- Place the container on the floor.
- When crickets find and dive into their sweet surprise, their wings will get wet, and they won’t be able to escape.
Sticky Traps
Things you need
- A sticky trap.
- Sugar
Instructions
- At the center of the trap, sprinkle sugar.
- Place the trap in the room. This way, the crickets will not be able to move and will eventually die.
Lethal Cricket Traps
The other traps in this article won’t kill the crickets, and you might have to finish the job yourself. But if you’d like a more lethal trap, use insecticides like borax powder.
Things you need
- A pair of gloves
- Borax
- Granulated sugar
- Plastic bottle
- Knife
Instructions
- Put on a pair of gloves.
- Follow the instructions in the plastic soda bottle trap, except the bait is an equal mix of borax and granulated sugar.
Crickets that are attracted to this bait will eventually die off. The only downside to this is that there will be dead crickets all over your house.
How to Prevent Indoor Cricket Infestations
- Examine any Dark Spots.
Crickets do not stay in wide-open areas, so they likely lurk in dark environments for shelter and protection. Check your closet and basement. Also, check the perimeter of areas in your home with less human traffic, such as walkways and patios. Abandoned wood, heaps of leaves, under sinks, cabinets, counters, flooring, carpets, and vegetation are good hiding spots for crickets.
- Use an Indoor Cricket Repeller
Cricket repellents help to prevent these insects and other pests from gaining entry into your home. They are great as a preventative measure and are also non-toxic and eco-friendly.
- Use a Vacuum Cleaner.
Use a vacuum cleaner in any area where you suspect crickets might be. Dispose of the contents of the vacuum cleaner immediately when you’re done cleaning. This would help eliminate adult crickets and any eggs they might have laid.
- Seal Entry Points.
Seal out all entry points, like broken windows or holes in the door, to prevent the entry of more crickets. You can seal these areas with sealants, expanding foam, or rubber trims.
- Manage Moisture.
Crickets like damp environments. You can eliminate anything that contributes to this, such as repairing a leaky tap, using a humidifier, and ensuring you have adequate ventilation in all the rooms in your house.
- Rethink Your Lighting.
Even though crickets like to stay in dark areas, they are attracted to bright light. Replace white bulbs with LED lighting or anti-bug bulbs that are amber-colored.
- Perform Outdoor Maintenance.
Trim any grasses or vegetation around you to have a neat outdoor area. Remove any wood piles near your home, dispose of your garbage on time, and thoroughly clean your gutters.
Conclusion
Crickets are curious creatures that love sugary food. This behavior can be used against them to make DIY indoor cricket traps, as highlighted in this article.
You can also prevent these insects from entering your home by sealing any entry points, regularly cleaning your surroundings, and avoiding pipe leaks. If you stick to all the tips in this article, your home should be cricket-free in no time.
