Dealing with a cricket infestation can be a challenging task. In this comprehensive guide, we will help you identify these pesky insects, understand their behavior, explore their life cycle, and learn about the damage they cause.
We’ll also discuss the common cricket species found in Lewisville, including house crickets, field crickets, and ground crickets, and explain why they make noise.
Finally, we’ll provide a step-by-step approach on how to get rid of crickets in Lewisville
so you can enjoy a peaceful, cricket-free home and how our experts at Romney Pest Control can help.
What Do Crickets Look Like?
There are two common cricket species you may encounter in Lewisville: camel crickets and house crickets.
Camel Crickets
Camel crickets, sometimes referred to as spider crickets or cave crickets, are known for their unusual appearance and lack of chirping. They are also more commonly found in damp, cool environments such as basements, garages, and crawl spaces.
They typically grow between ½ inch to 1½ inches long with colors ranging from light brown to dark brown. Some camel cricket body segments may be mottled or have dark bands.
Unlike other cricket species, they do not possess sound-producing organs, so they don’t chirp.
House Crickets
House crickets, as one of the most common invaders inside homes and buildings, are easily identified by their loud chirping sounds produced by males rubbing their front wings together as a mating call.
Their yellowish-brown color is accompanied by three dark bands across their head, while adults grow up to ¾ inch or even slightly larger than 1 inch long.
How Do Crickets Enter My Lewisville Property?
Crickets can enter your home through:
- Cracks and crevices: Crickets can squeeze through small spaces in your foundation or exterior walls.
- Hitchhiking: Crickets may be brought into your home on clothing or luggage after being outdoors.
- Vents: Open vents provide an entry point for crickets to get inside.
- Open doors and windows: Keeping windows and doors shut, especially at night when crickets are most active, helps prevent their entrance. Repair any broken screens as well.
Once inside, crickets may shelter in damp and dark areas such as cellars, crawl spaces, or wardrobes. However, their rapid reproduction rate means a full-blown cricket infestation could quickly develop if not addressed promptly.
What Damages Do Crickets Cause?
Although field crickets primarily live outdoors and only accidentally invade indoors without establishing permanent indoor infestations, they can still cause significant damage within households.
Indoor activities of these insects include staining clothes with feces or vomitus while feeding on soiled clothing stained by perspiration.
Severe outbreaks also lead to aesthetically unacceptable situations around businesses due to dead cricket piles causing odors that repel customers from entering stores or offices surrounded by large numbers of these pests on walls and sidewalks. Learn more about the damages caused by crickets here.
It’s important to understand that crickets are not only a nuisance but can also pose potential health risks. Some cricket species are known to carry harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated surfaces.
The Cricket Sound
Crickets produce their sound by rubbing their wings together. Males produce the characteristic chirping sound called “stridulation.” This noise attracts mates however, the frequency at which they ruffle their wings depends on the temperature conditions outside.
There are also different sounds that varied types of crickets can make. If you have field crickets in your home, you may also hear them “click” or “purr.” The usual house cricket makes a “chirp” sound.
The sound of crickets can be very soothing when you’re outside. But it’s a different story if a cricket chirps in your house. Inside, the noise is not only much louder, but it can also echo and seem to come from everywhere. This can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.
How Do I Get Rid of Crickets in Lewisville?
No one wants to share their space with crickets. Fortunately, Romney Pest Control offers pest control strategies in Lewisville with an extensive Texas service area that help eliminate and prevent these insects from invading your property.
For example, You may use glue traps, cricket baits, or insecticides, but there are other non-toxic, eco-friendly options available for cricket control. However, to avoid cricket infestations, keep the house clean and dry, cover up any entry points, and remove food sources.
If you need further assistance getting rid of crickets in Lewisville or other pest control services, contact Romney Pest Control today for a consultation.
