How To Get Rid Of Crickets In The House

So you’ve had a few unexpected house guests. Normally, we’d encourage extending

gracious hospitality

. In the case of pests, however, we’re calling for an immediate eviction.

A

pest control

problem can quickly escalate from a minor annoyance to a

full-on infestation

. That’s why it’s important to take action as soon as you notice traces of pests in your home. Yes,

cockroaches are bad

, but have you ever had an infestation of crickets? Not only does their chirping keep you up all night, but certain varieties of crickets are known to eat clothes.

So how can you get rid of crickets? We’re breaking down exactly how to handle a cricket infestation, as well as the steps you can take to make sure none of those critters make it back into your home again.

Why Are There Crickets In My House?

Cricket infestations are a common problem across the South. While they are

generally harmless

to humans and pets, they can be quite annoying. When the weather is warm, most crickets will live outdoors; however, once it starts to get cold outside, crickets migrate inside in search of a cozy spot to nest. The most common type of cricket you’ll find in your home is the house cricket, named aptly for its tendency to migrate indoors in search of dark, damp places to hide.

How To Tell If There Are Crickets In The House

Crickets are nocturnal, so you’ll likely only notice their presence at night, when the chirping begins. Male crickets make their signature chirping noise to attract a female mate, and while that singing may be sweet, it’s not something you really want to hear inside your home. You’re likely to find crickets hiding in cool, moist areas, such as under furniture, under appliances, or in dark corners of closets.

How To Get Rid Of Crickets In The House

The bad news is that certain varieties of crickets can survive indefinitely indoors, and they can be difficult to get rid of. Since these pests are hard to eradicate, your best bet is to call a

professional exterminator

. However, if the problem is not severe, or if you’re looking for an all-natural or DIY way to get rid of the pests, there are certain measures you can take yourself to get rid of crickets.

Make A Molasses Trap

A preferred at-home method to evict crickets uses a Southern-favorite ingredient: molasses. You may be familiar with setting

apple cider vinegar traps

to catch fruit flies. Similarly, molasses traps—made from a mixture of molasses and water—are highly effective at catching crickets. Simply mix 3 tablespoons of molasses with 2 cups of water and set the mixture out in a mason jar. The crickets, lured in by the sweet smell, will jump into the trap and drown.

Vacuum Them Up

You can also use your vacuum cleaner to help get rid of them. While you may not get the crickets, you’ll likely get their eggs, which will help prevent further infestation. Empty the vacuum outdoors when you’ve cleaned any areas where crickets have been seen.

Apply Diatomaceous Earth

For a slightly stronger approach, apply diatomaceous earth (DE) around the baseboards of your home, or in areas where crickets have been seen.

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You can also spray insecticide along windowsills and in the corners of rooms. Keep in mind that this substance is toxic, and children or pets should be kept far from areas of application.

Use Sticky Traps

Sticky traps and glue strips are also effective at getting rid of crickets quickly. Place them near entry points into your home, near doors, in corners, and anywhere else you may see them.

How To Keep Crickets Out Of The House

So you’ve managed to quell the infestation. But how can you ensure that the crickets will stay out of the house?

Change Outdoor Lighting

According to Texas extermination service The Bug Master, crickets are attracted to heavy outdoor lighting.

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Consider changing white outdoor lights, which attract crickets, to yellow lighting to help prevent luring them into the home.

Keep Vegetation Trimmed

Keeping your yard and hedges trimmed will eliminate potential nesting spots for crickets. Maintain an environment that doesn’t attract pests by

mowing the grass

, removing weeds from flower beds, and keeping plants away from your home’s entry points.

Get Rid Of Hiding Places

Crickets tend to hide in piles of garbage or firewood, so store these at least 20 feet away from the house and use bait traps near any wood or compost piles.

Seal Openings Around The House

Since crickets are very small, they can sneak through even the tiniest of cracks into your home; avoid this by installing a door sweep and sealing gaps in window frames, pipes, and air conditioning lines.

Declutter

Decluttering your home also upends any spots where the crickets might hide, including in the garage or shed. Keep storage areas clean and organized inside and outside the home.

Get Rid Of Moisture

Crickets are attracted to moisture, so make sure to

clean gutters

and reduce moisture in or around your home, including emptying any standing water in your yard. Fix leaky pipes or faucets.

Use Treatments

Spray around windows, doors, and any other entry points on the outside. Apply lawn insecticides or treatment sprays in early summer to get rid of any existing crickets.