Could You Be Setting Your Home Up for a Cricket Infestation?
Crickets are one of the most common pests New York homeowners encounter inside their homes each fall. While crickets’ presence alone can be a nuisance, these pests are also known for their loud chirping and damage to household items, so you don’t want to see them in your home this fall! Here are a few tips that’ll help you prevent a cricket infestation.
When Is Cricket Season?
Cricket season is an extended period that runs from September to March, but the most active months for crickets inside New York homes are usually during the fall. When temperatures outside begin to drop, crickets work their way inside for a warm, humid place to call home until the spring when they re-emerge in larger numbers after mating.
What Attracts Crickets to a Home?
Understanding how to prevent crickets from entering your home starts with knowing what they’re attracted to. Here are a few key cricket attractors:
Light
Crickets are usually most active at night. If they see bright flood lights, porch lights, or even visible indoor lighting from the outside of your home, they will likely wander toward your home.
Moisture
Just like humans, crickets need water for survival. All three of the cricket species we see in New York (house crickets, field crickets, and cave/camel crickets are drawn to damp, humid spaces, which is why they’re most often found in basements, crawl spaces, and sheds.
Warmth
means of orientation, so when you turn on your lights at night, you’re essentially inviting them in!
Crickets also tend to be drawn in by warmth. Crickets can survive for short periods of time outside during warmer months because their metabolism allows them to generate body heat by rubbing their wings together (also known as stridulation). If a cricket finds its way inside your home through an open window or door during this period, its chances of surviving increase exponentially because it no longer needs external sources like the sun for warmth.
Fall Pest Proofing That Will Help Prevent Crickets
Here are some tips to help keep crickets out of your home:
- Turn off outdoor lighting when not in use.
- Use curtains and/or blinds to make indoor lighting less visible from the outside.
- Immediately repair leaks.
- Store firewood in dry areas at least 20 feet from your home because crickets like to burrow into wood piles.
- Make sure your A/C ductwork is sealed.
- Remove mulch from around foundation plants and flower beds.
- Make sure you have a garage door closed when not in use.
- Identify and repair any cracks, crevices, or gaps on the exterior of your home.
- Keep your crawl space closed.
- Remove lawn and leaf clutter that’s near your house.
- Implement dehumidifiers in moist areas of your home, such as your basement or crawl space.
Knock Out Crickets Before They Get In!
Crickets may be a common fall pest in New York, but that doesn’t mean you have to deal with them in your home! The most effective way to prevent crickets and other household pests like ants, roaches, and rodents is with a professional, year-round pest control service from Knockout Pest Control. Our team will work with you to knock out any existing pest concerns and help you prevent future issues.
To schedule an estimate, call 1-800-244-PEST.
