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Crickets
Crickets frequently become a pest in homes and other buildings. In addition to their bothersome chirping, some crickets will feed on a variety of fiber and food products found in the home. However, one or two crickets do not present a serious problem to the homeowner.
DESCRIPTION
Several cricket species may be found in the home. Adult house and field crickets are yellowish-brown or black, respectively, and 3/4 to 1 inch long. The house cricket has three dark bands on the head. Both species have slender long antennae and wings when mature. The wings of the field cricket are projected backward like pointed coat tails. Camel or cave crickets are wingless, have long antennae, and are light tan to dark brown. The head is bent downward with the back arched giving the cricket a humpbacked appearance. All three species have conspicuous, enlarged hind legs used for jumping.
LIFE HISTORIES AND HABITS
Field crickets are found in meadows, pastures, along roadsides, and under trash and other debris. Eggs are normally laid in the ground during late summer and fall. Hatching occurs the following spring. Young crickets (nymphs) require approximately 15 weeks to complete development. Adults begin to appear in late summer and continue until the first autumn freeze. There is only one generation each year. Field crickets are normally found outdoors and prefer to feed on plant material. However, they will often seek shelter in building and other structures when environmental conditions are unfavorable or food becomes scarce.
House crickets live outdoors but can also breed indoors. Eggs are laid in cracks and crevices in dark locations (such as behind baseboards). Nymphs hatch from eggs in eight to 12 weeks and adults appear approximately one month later. These crickets are nocturnal, remaining hidden during the day, and are attracted to lights at night. House crickets are quite active and are frequently seen crawling up foundation walls where they invade homes through window wells and other entry ways. They are omnivorous and will feed upon many household products including silk, woolens, paper, and various foods.
Camel crickets are infrequent pests of basements and other dark, damp areas. These insects avoid light and are normally found outdoors in cool, protected placed such as caves, under logs or in hollow trees. They are not of economic importance in the home.
CONTROL MEASURES
Satisfactory control of crickets involves prevention and, in some cases, application of an insecticide. Proper sanitation is an important means of reducing infestation potential. Elimination of possible breeding sites will discourage crickets from laying eggs. All areas near buildings should be kept free of weeds and other dense vegetation. Discarded wood, bricks, piles of stones and other debris should be removed to eliminate areas where crickets can live. Garbage cans, compost piles and firewood should be kept away from buildings and raised off the ground if practical. All cracks, crevices, and points of entry should be caulked or sealed and screens and doors should be tight fitting. Since crickets are attracted to white, neon or mercury vapor lights, yellow or low pressure sodium lighting should be used. If crickets are numerous, night lights should be reduced or turned off.
Outside the home, the lower foundation and window wells may be treated with an insecticide. If cricket infestations are large, a 2 to 3 foot barrier swath treatment around the foundation will reduce the number of crickets attempting to invade the home. However, heavy migrations are difficult to control. Sprays of carbaryl (Sevin), chlorpyrifos (Dursban), diazinon and malathion may be used outdoors. Bait formulations of Sevin and propoxur (Baygon) are also effective when sprays are not practical. To control crickets indoors, chlorpyrifos, and aerosol formulations of pyrethrum and permethrin are currently registered for use in areas such as along baseboards, in closets, under stairways and other areas where crickets are found. Always follow label instructions while applying any of these chemical treatments.
For more information see the Field Crop Insect Management Guide at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/pests/e1143w1.htm
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