Sign-in to Account
Call Us
(844) 585-5517
aptive-registered-logo-white

How Do You Know if You Have a Cricket Infestation?

Written by Aptive Environmental September 9, 2019

While crickets are one of the least menacing pests you can find in your home, a cricket infestation can impact your sleep and cause long term damage to your belongings. During an infestation, crickets typically feed on fabric, like clothing and upholstered furniture, but will not shy away from eating other household objects, like paper, house plants, and pet food.

Unfortunately for homeowners in some regions of the country, a cricket infestation can seemingly happen overnight. These insects are not capable of carrying diseases or causing physical harm to humans or pets, but a cricket infestation is an unnecessary burden many homeowners have to face each year. There are early warning signs that will help you know if you’re susceptible to a cricket infestation before it’s too late. Learn what causes a cricket infestation and how you can prevent one from occurring inside your home.

What Causes a Cricket Infestation?

There are over 100 different species of crickets in the United States alone, and most are found east of the Rocky Mountains. Considering crickets thrive in warm, humid climates, homeowners located along the eastern coast of the United States and in parts of Southern California are the most at risk for a cricket infestation.

Heavy rainstorms can draw these insects indoors at any point throughout the year, but fall is the most likely season for a cricket infestation to occur for a variety of reasons. First, cricket eggs hatch during the spring and early summer, meaning these insects are fully grown by the start of fall. Second, crickets typically feed on grass and other plants. When the weather cools down and these plants begin to die, crickets will head inside to find warmth and available food.

Because these insects primarily inhabit areas with tall grasses, bushes, or trees, homes with large piles of bricks, wood, or grassy flower beds are more susceptible to a cricket infestation. Crickets can nest in compact crevices, so they often accumulate in cluttered areas of a home, like a garage or an attic. Crickets are also drawn to bright lights and will gravitate toward homes with bright outdoor light fixtures.

Signs You Have a Cricket Infestation

You’ll likely know if your home has been infested with crickets, but there are some tell-tale signs to look for before calling an exterminator. The most obvious way to determine if your home has been affected by a cricket infestation is if you spot multiple crickets inside your home. It’s common for one or two to wander in through torn window screens or holes in your home’s exterior walls without becoming a cause for concern, but if you begin spotting more and more crickets gathering in your home, it could be indicative of a larger problem.

We also recommend listening for the crickets’ chirps to determine if you have a cricket infestation. These insects rarely chirp during the day; instead male crickets chirp mostly at night when mating or courting a female. During the summer, hearing crickets chirping outside is very normal and likely expected. When the chirps become so loud you have trouble sleeping, however, is when an infestation has presumably taken place.

Another way to tell if you have a cricket infestation is by routinely checking your clothing and furniture for chewed-up edges. Crickets are specifically drawn toward wool, silk, cotton, and certain types of synthetic fabric. Instead of the small holes often made by moths and other fabric-eating pests, these insects create large holes in clothing and chew edges on upholstered furniture. If you suspect your home has been infested with crickets, we recommend doing laundry often, because these insects are especially drawn to clothing soiled with perspiration.

Preventing an Infestation

Preventing a cricket infestation is much easier than doing damage control once an infestation has already taken place. During the spring, we recommend following these tips for safeguarding your home from a future infestation:

  • Trim bushes and move piles of wood or trash away from doors

  • Keep lawn and patio tidy and clear of debris

  • Clean and organize commonly cluttered areas, like the garage or attic

  • Patch up any holes and cracks found in your home’s foundation or exterior walls

  • Vacuum carpets, curtains, and furniture to get rid of cricket eggs

  • Change outdoor lights from white to yellow-tinted light bulbs

It’s important to call an exterminator as soon as you recognize the signs of a cricket infestation. The proper treatment plan for a cricket-infested home depends on the size of your property and surrounding environment. Aptive Environmental’s pest experts can provide a professional, effective treatment to help rid your home of crickets. Give us a call today!

Curated articles for you, from our pest experts.

Pest Activyt Neighborhood Map

Data, Patterns, and Pest Control

As a leading pest control provider, Aptive service professionals encounter all kinds of pest activity across the country. Our ability to monitor this pest activity has provided valuable insights into understanding the prevalence of specific pest types at different...

Aug 1, 2023
Ant On Wet Leaf.

Pest Control: The Lifecycle of Pests

Pests are a nuisance to homeowners, and can cause a lot of damage to property, as well as health risks to humans and pets. To effectively control pests, it is important to understand their lifecycle and behavior. In this article, we will explore the lifecycle of...

Feb 17, 2023
Lovebug 2 1

Lovebugs: Facts, Identification, and How to Treat Them

Lovebugs: these small insects may seem harmless, but they can quickly become a nuisance in the southeastern United States. With their unique mating behavior and rapid reproduction, lovebugs can swarm in large numbers during certain times of the year. But what...

Feb 12, 2024
Drain Fly Control 1

Control Drain Flies: Proactive Tips & Identification

Drain flies, also known as sewer flies or sink flies, are small flying insects commonly found in homes and buildings. While they may resemble fruit flies or gnats, drain flies have a distinct preference for moist environments such as drains. These pesky creatures...

Feb 12, 2024
Orb Weaver Spider Control 1

Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips

Orb weaver spiders can be a real nuisance in gardens and outdoor spaces. Understanding the behavior and characteristics of these spiders is important for effective control. We'll explore proactive spider control techniques, as well as treatment methods to help you...

Feb 12, 2024
How Ants Are Getting Into Your House And How To Stop Them 1

How Ants Are Getting Into Your House And How to Stop Them

  Ants are one of the most common household interlopers, usually in kitchens and bathrooms, but it’s difficult to get rid of them if you don’t know where they’re coming from. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to make your home less attractive to these...

Feb 7, 2024
A Guide To Rat Control And Identification 1

The Rodent Riddle: A Guide to Rat Control and Identification

In the corners of homes and urban landscapes, rats lurk as stealthy intruders, capable of causing damage and spreading disease. Recognizing the signs of a rat infestation and understanding effective control measures are crucial for maintaining a more pest protected...

Feb 5, 2024
Fire Ant Control 1

A Detailed Guide to Fire Ant Control

In the realm of pests, fire ants stand out as a formidable adversary, with their painful bites and aggressive behavior. For homeowners, understanding the nuances of fire ants is crucial for effective pest control. In this detailed guide, we'll delve into the...

Jan 31, 2024
Flying Ants 1 1

How to Treat and Control Flying Ants

Flying ants, those winged insects that often cause a frenzy when they take to the skies, are not just your average ants. While they may resemble termites at first glance, flying ants are actually reproductive ants that play a vital role in the life cycle of ant...

Jan 30, 2024
How To Treat Mice 1 1

How to Treat Mice in the Home

Mice, those elusive yet troublesome creatures, have a knack for infiltrating our living spaces and turning a minor annoyance into a full-blown infestation. Understanding their characteristics and behavior is pivotal in effectively controlling these invaders....

Jan 29, 2024
Wasp Activity 1

Wasp Control: Understanding and Managing Wasp Activity

The wasp – a winged menace that always seems to be around, threatening you and your family, and seeking to stake its claim under your eaves, in your rock walls, or in your garden or back yard. While wasps come with their own set of concerns, understanding their...

Jan 23, 2024
Spider Control 1

Protecting Against Spiders: The Where and When of Spider Activity

Whether they spark a sense of fascination or send chills down your spine, spiders are a common pest that can find their way into your home. These silent lurkers can invade your space without you even knowing, taking up residence in quiet corners or hidden spots....

Jan 16, 2024

Take back your home with pest control today.