What Are Crickets?
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​Crickets are insects belonging to the family Gryllidae, known for their distinctive chirping sounds. While most crickets live outdoors and are harmless, certain species become pests when they enter homes, basements, and businesses in search of warmth, food, or shelter. In New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, the most common nuisance species are house crickets, field crickets, and camel crickets.
Are Crickets Harmful?
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Noise: Male crickets produce loud chirping sounds, which can be disruptive indoors, especially at night.
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Property Damage: Crickets chew on fabrics, clothing, wallpaper, and stored items made from natural fibers.
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Infestations: Large numbers can become a nuisance in basements, garages, and commercial spaces.
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Camel Crickets: Though they don’t chirp, their large size and jumping behavior can be startling when found indoors.
Cricket Control
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DIY sprays provide temporary relief but rarely address underlying infestations. Professional control combines exclusion, sanitation, and treatment.
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Inspection: Identify species and entry points.
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Exclusion: Seal gaps around doors, windows, and foundations.
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Habitat Reduction: Remove clutter, leaf piles, and damp conditions that attract crickets.
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Targeted Treatments: Apply residual insecticides and baits indoors and outdoors as needed.
Types of Crickets in NJ, PA & DE
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House Cricket: Light brown, about ¾ inch long; often found indoors in warm areas.
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Field Cricket: Larger, black crickets that enter homes in late summer and fall.
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Camel Cricket (a.k.a. Cave Cricket): Brown, hump-backed, long-legged crickets often found in basements and crawl spaces.
Crickets Appearance
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Size: ½ inch to over 1 inch long depending on species.
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Color: Tan, brown, or black.
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Body: Flattened body with long legs and antennae.
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Wings: Present in some species; males use them to chirp.
Crickets Habitat
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Outdoors: Fields, gardens, mulch beds, and under stones.
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Indoors: Basements, garages, crawl spaces, and near warmth or moisture.
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Seasonal Activity: Most active in late summer and fall, often entering homes as temperatures drop.
Crickets Diet
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Crickets are omnivores and feed on:
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Plants, leaves, and grass
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Fruits and vegetables
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Fabrics (cotton, wool, silk)
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Dead insects and organic debris
Crickets Life Cycle
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Crickets undergo incomplete metamorphosis:
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Eggs: Laid in soil or organic matter.
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Nymphs: Small, wingless versions of adults that molt several times.
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Adults: Fully developed with wings (in most species) and reproductive ability.
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Life cycles vary by species but usually complete in a few months.
