How to Get Rid of Those Cute Little Crickets that Can Drive You Crazy

Lately, as I’ve entered my workplace in the morning, I’ve encountered a cricket or two. Either a co-worker or I have gently picked them up and put them outside. This brought back memories for me of our arrival in Arizona. We rented a brand new apartment and were very excited after leaving California where the rent was sky-high and amenities unheard of unless you were a millionaire.

All was well until I heard a chirping sound one night. Somewhere in the closet was a cricket. That cricket chirped endlessly. They’re very active at night which is disturbing when you’re trying to sleep. The male cricket chirps to attract the female. If they get in your clothes, they will eat wool, silk, or any cloth stained by perspiration or food. The next morning I discovered several of them in the bathtub drain and more in the kitchen light fixture. I was very concerned because it was obvious that there were not just a few but an infestation of the little critters.

I bought fly swatters and told my husband we’d keep score. Meanwhile, I told maintenance that we needed some help. My hopes were not high. Crickets have their purpose to renew the soil and break down plant material but not to terrorize me in an apartment. It was spring and that’s when the eggs hatch so there were probably thousands of them. The apartment complex had been built in a meadow and that’s where they had laid their eggs. We ended up moving to a condo for more reasons than the crickets but not everyone can relocate so I’ve made up a list of ways to get rid of the little pests.

Spraying in mid-summer will kill the small crickets. Clean up all leaves, branches, and anything else lying around if you’re spraying the perimeter. Be sure to spray all the way to the source of crickets.

You can seal them out but you must seal all possible places where they have access to the house.

A fly-swatter, broom, rolled magazine, or vacuum cleaner can be used.

They can be removed cupped in the palm of your hand but they will sometimes bite in self defense. A jar might be less intimidating.

You can collect them in the jar and use as fish bait or food for pets such as lizards, birds, or spiders. Then, there’s always the option of frying them for a snack which is a bit disturbing to me.

If all of the above fails, know that fall will come no matter what. At least in the fall, a frost or freeze can kill them.

Sources

http://insected.arizona.edu/cricketinfo.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cricket_(insect)

http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/crickets/field/index.html