Few things are as relaxing as the sound of chirping crickets on a warm summer night. But when that chirping comes from inside your home, it’s not quite so peaceful. House crickets are a major problem for homeowners during the colder months of the year, and although they pose no serious harm to human health, they can be quite a nuisance when you are trying to get some rest. In order to maintain a cricket-free home, following is a description of why these pests enter our homes, as well as what non-chemical solutions you can use to get them out.

Why They Invade Homes

During the warmer months of the year, house cricks prefer to live outdoors, where there is an abundance of plants and insects to feed on. However, when the temperature drops or they feel an immediate threat to their survival from predators, these pests will invade homes for shelter and survival. In fact, house crickets are known to spend their entire lifespans indoors, so once they have found a way in, chances are they are there to stay.

You can find them hiding just about anywhere in your home, but the most common problem areas include near kitchens, water heaters, fireplaces, and furnace areas. Less frequented areas like attics and basements are also prone to house cricket infestations, especially if these areas are damp and provide ample hiding places.

Potential Damage and Threats

House crickets do not pose any serious health risks to humans, but they can be destructive when they enter a home. Once inside, these pests will feed on clothing and the surface of carpets, leaving the materials holed and roughened from loose fibers being pulled. They are also known to feed on leather, fur, cottons, silks, and wool, especially if the items are soiled with food or perspiration.

Non-Chemical Treatments

Pest control companies have long used chemical-based pesticides to treat house crickets, but this can pose serious harm to the health of your family and pets. Instead, utilizing non-chemical solutions can be just as effective as their toxic counterparts, but without the dangerous side effects.

When you begin to notice noisy house crickets in your home, the first thing you should do is reduce or eliminate the habitats that make it possible for them to survive. This includes mowing grass before it gets too high, cleaning up areas that tend to stay moist, and eliminating food sources. You can also prevent them from being drawn to your home by turning off any unnecessary outdoor lighting and removing debris like firewood and brush that are near your home.

Another key method to prevent house crickets is to eliminate points of entry. Like all pests, when there are cracks or holes around the perimeter of your home, chances are they will find their way inside. Be sure to seal up any problem areas with caulk or physical barriers, and you will soon see a drastic reduction in these invasive crickets. Finally, use a vacuum with a sealed bag and place sticky traps in problem areas to remove any lingering pests.

If you are having trouble preventing and treating house crickets or need assistance in their prevention and treatment, contact Greenleaf Pest Control for professional assistance. By using only the most eco-friendly methods of the industry, our team can ensure the safe and effective removal of all house crickets from your home, without the excessive use of pesticides during the treatment process. Once eliminated, we will identify access points they use to enter your home and seal them up permanently, while giving you the knowledge and tools you need to maintain a pest-free home.

About the Author:

Daniel Mackie, co-owner of Greenleaf Pest Control, is a Toronto pest control expert well-known as an industry go-to guy, an innovator of safe, effective pest control solutions, and is a regular guest on HGTV. Mackie, along with business partner Sandy Costa, were the first pest control professionals in Canada to use detection dogs and thermal remediation for the successful eradication of bed bugs. In his free time, he is an avid gardener.