Maybe during summer, the chirping of crickets can be fun and with a pleasant sound, but on the daily basis at home, it can be a real nightmare.

At Carolina Custom Homes we know these insects can become a problem if they take up residence inside your home and especially if they start laying eggs. Even knowing they are not destructive pests, some of their species can start snacking on paper, wood, and fabrics, so they become harmful to your home.

Besides their constant racket, they can jump up to 3 feet, and don´t forget about the chance of them carrying diseases. So no, they are not welcome at all!

 

But, what are crickets?

 

There exist more than 900 unique species of crickets. But the ones that can be in your home are officially called “Acheta Domesticus (Linnaeus)”, and they can be found all over the country, especially at the east of the rocky mountains.

 

How do they look like?

 

The crickets inside your house are different from the ones you can find in your yard (dark Brown to black), they are smaller and light yellowish-brown, with 3 dark crossbands on the head.

With season changes, when temperatures drop, they move indoors looking for warm and moist environments. So, at home, your carpets, furniture, and clothing are very vulnerable.

 

How to detect an infestation?

 

Finding one cricket is not a sign of alarm, but a problem arises when they breed, so, we highly recommend you to take action as soon as possible before it turns into a huge pest control problem. Some facts to check in advance:

• You hear a lot of them at night, loud enough to know the sound comes from inside the house.
• Carpets and rugs are losing fibers and have roughened.
• You see a lot of them inside the house.
• Your clothes, especially those kept in warm spots, show big holes.

How to get rid of them?

 

At Carolina Custom Homes we recommend you to take action as soon as you detect the problem, so it doesn´t scale up. Follow these steps and get rid of these uncomfortable insects:

1.- Follow the sound: find out exactly where they are so you can manage the solution moving forward.

2.- Check dark areas of your house: these areas provide cover to crickets since they enjoy nesting in dark and moist environments.

3.- Use the vacuum: use it in any area where you suspect crickets are, so you may get the little eggs and stop the proliferation. Immediately after using the vacuum, empty its dirty bag or cup outdoors.

4.- Reduce areas of moisture: check your spaces and repair leaks. Also, be sure there´s good ventilation in all spaces.

5.- Boric acid: this can be effective as a pesticide, place it in areas where crickets nest. Keep your children and pets away to prevent ingestion.

 

Also repairing holes and fissures at home is a must. Use expanding foam, sealants, rubber trim, caulks among others because once you seal the point of entry, crickets won´t have the opportunity to get in.

Another idea we give to customers at Carolina Custom Homes is to rethink your lighting since crickets nest and lay eggs in dark places, but also are attracted to bright lights at night. So alternating the use of lighting is advisable. Use motion sensor-activated fixtures outdoors.

Do you have crickets in the basement? What have you done so far?