Crickets can be one of the biggest nuisances for Plano homeowners. Between their loud chirping at night and their ability to jump, even a minor cricket infestation can become a major hassle.
Your Plano pest control experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite are here to help. Here's what you need to know to determine if you have an infestation and what you can do to keep these annoying insects from damaging your home.
Physical Characteristics Of Crickets: What to Look For
Crickets are fairly unique-looking insects, making it easy to determine whether you're dealing with a cricket infestation or another type of insect. Here are a few key physical characteristics to watch for:
- Distinct colorations: Crickets range from yellowish brown to dark brown and often have dark bands on their heads.
- Their body shape: House crickets tend to have long, threadlike antennae, distinct wings, and very large hind legs; camel crickets have these same characteristics, plus a humpbacked appearance.
- Their size: Camel crickets grow from 1/2 to 1 inch in length. House crickets tend to grow from 3/4 to 7/8 of an inch long.
- When they're active: Both house crickets and camel crickets are most active at night. You'll likely see increased activity in the late evening and overnight. Some crickets may still be active in the early morning hours, just before dawn.
- Their sounds: The sound of crickets chirping can be relaxing until you're trying to sleep. This chirping sound happens when crickets rub their legs together.
If you notice any of these characteristics in insects around your home, you likely have a cricket problem.
Cricket Problems: More Than Just A Nuisance Noise
Arguably the most annoying problem that crickets cause around your home is a result of their chirping. The chirping sound can be loud, and when you have more than one cricket chirping at once, it can be enough to keep you awake at night. But that's not all that crickets can do to your home.
These insects will eat fabrics, carpets, and other fibrous items in your home, causing damage to your belongings and forcing you to replace items sooner than you would need to.
Your trusted cricket control experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite will be able to help you protect your belongings and keep crickets from coming into your home.
Cricket Prevention: Naturally Effective Tips
Though professional pest control treatments are the best way to get rid of crickets already in your home, you can do a few things to prevent future infestations. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Get rid of excess moisture. Crickets love water; leaks, dripping faucets, or overly humid areas in your home will attract them. You'll make your home less tempting by repairing leaks and getting rid of excess moisture.
- Keep exterior lights off at night. Crickets gravitate to light. Turning the lights off or switching to sodium vapor bulbs will keep crickets from coming too close to your house.
- Seal up gaps around your house. Crickets are small and can fit through narrow openings in your home. Inspect your property regularly and repair any cracks, gaps, or other holes that you find around your doors, windows, and foundation.
These tips can greatly reduce your risk of future cricket infestations.
Professional Pest Control: A Great Way To Get Rid Of Crickets
If you're dealing with an active cricket infestation, don't ignore it. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, our experts will be able to assess the full extent of the infestation and create a treatment plan to keep them out of your home for good. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.