Color: Yellowish brown with 3 dark cross bands on head
Legs: 6
Shape: Long, winged
Size: 3/4 – 7/8” (16-22 mm)
Antennae: Yes
Region: All
House crickets get their common name from the fact that they often enter houses where they can survive indefinitely. However, they are also equally adept at finding their way into commercial properties. They are known for their loud chirping which is caused by rubbing their front wings together to attract females.
House crickets are nocturnal or active at night and usually hide in dark warm places during the day. Outside, they feed on plants and dead or live insects, including other crickets. Indoors, house crickets can feast on fabric, eating large areas, leaving holes and are especially attracted to clothes soiled with perspiration.
Clothing, curtains and carpets can become damaged when house crickets enter commercial properties. They typically feed on the surface, leaving the area roughened from pulling the fibers loose while eating.
During warm weather, house crickets typically live outdoors and are especially fond of garbage dumps. They are often attracted to electric lights in larger numbers, sometimes by the thousands, and rest on vertical surfaces such as light poles and house walls. However, when cold weather approaches, they seek shelter in buildings such as storage sheds and warehouses, because of the moisture and warmth they provide.
The most effective way to get rid of crickets is to reduce areas of moisture in and around your premises. Mow the lawn, weed plant beds and move woodpiles away from the structure. Provide adequate ventilation in crawl spaces, basements, etc. In addition, change outdoor lighting to less-attractive yellow bulbs. It is also important to seal possible points of entry for house crickets around the house, including window and door frames.
House crickets mate, and the male fertilizes the female's eggs. The female then deposits these eggs, laying them about 1 cm deep into damp earth or organic matter. Under favorable conditions, the house cricket can lay a batch of eggs approximately every two weeks for most of its adult life. A productive female is capable of laying around 200 eggs per batch.
House Crickets are nimble and good at finding their way indoors. They’ll typically get in via small cracks or crevices, or under doors.
House crickets are drawn to environments that offer warmth, moisture, and security. Common attractants within and near a commercial property include leftover food and water, exposed fruit, and water sources from leaky plumbing. Furthermore, the presence of clutter provides crickets with additional hiding places, thereby increasing their attraction to an area.