What are the crickets you should know about?
- Camel Crickets
- Mormon Cricket
- Jerusalem Cricket
- Field Cricket
Did you know that crickets are nuisance pests? Your pest control services can help you with an infestation if needed, so if the noise they make is keeping you up at night, you better call your local pest buster. Crickets can also get inside your home and will feed on your uncovered food, clothes, and paper. Keep them away from your books, documents, and favorite clothes if you want to keep their integrity.
Camel Crickets
Camel crickets or cave crickets have a humpback appearance that’s similar to a camel. They can be found in caves and other areas that are damp and cool such as under leaves, stones, and rotting logs. Camel crickets can’t produce a sound because they lack the right organs. And unlike other cricket species, adult camel crickets don’t have wings. Their defense mechanism is also quite unique. Camel crickets have long limbs that let them leap away from danger.
While they may seem harmless, these crickets can become easily overwhelming in large numbers. They tend to settle in common areas and bedrooms. Since they make no sound, these crickets can crawl or jump on you when you least suspect it. Camel crickets pose no threat to humans, but like other crickets, they could potentially feed on your clothing or curtains. Look for them in areas that are prone to mold, algae, and fungus if you don’t want any of these pests chewing on your fabric.
Mormon Cricket
The Mormon cricket is a hybrid of a grasshopper and a cricket. They can be found on the western side of North America. These crickets can reach two inches in length. They have no wings and they’re generally dark brown or black in color. They have long antennas and wide-spaced eyes.
The Mormon Cricket may not be dangerous for humans, but they pose a threat to the agricultural economy. They’re able to feed on 400 different types of vegetables, which include alfalfa, sugar beets, and small grains. While they might not breed or grow in farms, they can definitely migrate after reaching maturity. They can feed on leaves and stems, damaging plant growth and the production of seeds. In large numbers, these crickets can cause a lot of problems, but when their population is controlled, they can be a beneficial part of the ecosystem.
Jerusalem Cricket
The size of Jerusalem crickets can range from 2 cm to as large as 7.5 cm. They can weigh around 13 grams, but they have no inherent ability to fly. They usually have a brown or tan color with stripes that alternate between black and brown. Their bodies are plump, characterized by their large abdomens and distinct round heads. Jerusalem crickets lack venom glands but they can still inflict painful bites with their jaws. These crickets are commonly found in Central America and Mexico, but they can generally thrive in dry and semi-arid climates.
Avoid these crickets and don’t annoy them as they might bite. Thankfully, they spend most of their time underground, but they’re very active at night. They feed on small insects and roots. They make drumming noises to send vibrations to attract their partners. They rely entirely on these vibrations since they have no ears. After mating, the female cricket eats the male cricket. Their main defense mechanism is an audible hissing sound produced by their hind legs rubbing against their abdomen.
Field Cricket
Field cricket sizes can range from 1.5 cm to 8 cm. Their color is dark and they can be found on the ground. They’re pretty loud and can be a nuisance if you find them in your home. Like other species of crickets, males use songs to attract female crickets of their own species. They can occasionally damage crops if they swarm in large numbers. They have wings and long hind legs which makes them very mobile.
Field cricket will feed on damaged items such as soiled fabric. They can also eat wood, plastic, rubber and leather items. They spend their time hiding from the daylight in dark and damp areas. To prevent an infestation at home, clean up any old bricks, stone, wood or other debris that might be lying around. This will discourage these field crickets from settling in your home. Remove weeds and other dense plants around your house. Keep your trash cans clean as they can feed on leftovers and use the bins as a shelter when possible. They’re also attracted to light, so keep your windows and doors sealed.
Key Takeaway
If you find that you have too many crickets in or around your home, try calling your pest control services. They can help you out if it gets too overwhelming. Crickets are mostly nuisance pests. Their sounds and songs can be annoying, especially at night. However, if uncontrolled, they can eat your household items. In low numbers, they are a natural part of the earth’s ecosystem. Luckily these pests don’t pose a big threat in your home. As long as you practice cleaning your surrounding environment, fixing your landscaping, or simply keeping your doors and windows sealed, then you’ll be fine.