Are crickets harmful?

You know when there are crickets in the area, they tend to make a lot of noise! Crickets are insects with large rear legs, it's these that allow them to jump so high in proportion to the size of their body. Of course, they also have wings and some of them are capable of short flights.

The sound they make is a result of them rubbing their front wings together. The tough membrane is leathery yet makes a distinctive noise when rubbed against itself. It is worth noting that other crickets hear through their legs!

The noise is sung by males attempting to attract females to them, they generally sing as it starts to get dark. There are many different types of crickets which is why it’s a good idea to speak to your local pest control expert and find out more info regarding which type of cricket you’re dealing with.

Cricket Danger

The good news is that crickets aren’t dangerous. Their song may be annoying, especially if they are doing it while you are trying to sleep. But, they don’t carry disease and won’t bite you.

However, that doesn’t mean they don’t cause any damage. Crickets can feed n a variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk, fur, and even wool. They are particularly fond of ‘dirty’ fabrics that have been tainted by food or sweat.

They will eat this and can cause you inconvenience when you go to put on your favorite running top and find it has holes in it.

Identifying The Cricket

It’s essential to note that there are many different types of crickets and they can often be confused with grasshoppers. Crickets tend to be darker colors, such as brown or black, while grasshoppers are generally green. However, some crickets can also be green.

Perhaps the easiest way to tell the two species apart is by looking at the antenna. Crickets have long antennas, grasshoppers have short ones. Again, click here to check with your local pest expert. You need to ensure you’re dealing with the right issue!

Keeping Crickets Out Of Your Home

The simplest way to ensure crickets are a noise nuisance and nothing else is to try the following:

• Minimize outside lights or use yellow lights as these are less likely to attract crickets
• Check your home, especially around doors and windows. If you find any cracks you need to seal them straight away, this will deprive the crickets of their entry point. In fact, sealing up cracks around your home is a great way of keeping mot pests out.
• Keep your grass short, this is less appealing to crickets. They like long grass as it gives them somewhere to hide
• Your home should be dry! Damp areas attract pests, including crickets. Eliminating damp will help to ensure your home is not appealing to crickets.
• Remove all clutter. This removes potential hiding spots for crickets and other pests, it’s also much nicer for your home!

With a little effort, you can prevent crickets from getting into your home, effectively protecting your belongings from being eaten.

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This post was written with the Life According to Steph audience in mind