How to Catch Crickets

Crickets, known for their distinctive chirping sounds, can be both fascinating and annoying. It never fails that when one of your kids decides to go around and catch crickets with their homemade insect nets, they inevitably lose at least one within the sanctuary of your home. It can take weeks to find the little stealth chirper. And that is if there is only one.

While their nighttime serenades can be charming in small doses, a cricket infestation can become problematic, especially when they invade homes or nearby gardens. Whether you’re dealing with a cricket problem or want to study these insects up close, understanding how to catch crickets effectively can be some great information to keep in your back pocket.

Understanding Crickets

Cricket Species

Different species of crickets may require different approaches for capture. Some of the most common species of crickets include:

House Crickets (Acheta domesticus)

Appearance: House crickets are small, measuring about 3/4 to 1 inch in length. They have a light brown to tan color with three dark bands on their heads. Their bodies are slender and elongated, with long antennae and long legs adapted for jumping.

Habitat: House crickets are commonly found in warm, dark, and moist areas within homes. They are often attracted to areas where food crumbs or organic matter accumulate, such as in kitchens, basements, and attics. They can also be found in cluttered spaces where they can hide easily.

Field Crickets (Gryllus pennsylvanicus)

Appearance: Field crickets typically measuring between 1 to 1.5 inches in length. They exhibit a dark brown to black coloration with a somewhat shiny, smooth body. Their wings are long and extend beyond the abdomen, which distinguishes them from other cricket species. Field crickets have long, slender legs that are adapted for powerful jumping and extensive antennae used for navigating their environment.

Habitat: Unlike house crickets, Field crickets are predominantly outdoor insects. Field crickets prefer open, grassy areas. They thrive in environments with tall grass and abundant ground cover which provide them with shelter and food. These crickets create burrows or seek out natural crevices to nest in and lay eggs.

Tree Crickets (Oecanthus species pluralis)

Appearance: Tree crickets in the Oecanthus genus range in length from about 1/2 inch to 1 inch. They are slender and elongated with long, delicate legs and antennae. Tree crickets typically have light green to brown bodies, which help them blend into their leafy or grassy environments. Their wings are long, narrow, and often translucent with visible veining.

Habitat: These crickets prefer environments with ample vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, and tall grasses. They are commonly found in these areas during the warmer months and are more active at night.

Cricket Behavior

Life Cycle:

• Egg Stage: Crickets lay eggs in soil or hidden environments. The egg stage lasts about 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the species and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.
• Nymph Stage: After hatching, crickets enter the nymph stage, which lasts for several weeks to a few months. Nymphs resemble adult crickets but are smaller and lack fully developed wings. They molt multiple times during this stage, gradually growing and developing into adult crickets.
• Adult Stage: Once crickets reach adulthood, their lifespan varies based on factors such as species, diet, and environmental conditions. On average as adults:
  • Field crickets typically live for about 8 to 12 weeks.
  • House crickets generally have a lifespan of 2 to 3 months.
  • Tree crickets can live approximately 3 to 4 months.

Chirping: Crickets are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. The characteristic chirping sound produced by males is a form of courtship, meant to attract females. It can also be used to ward off rivals and establish territory. This sound is created by rubbing their wings together in a process known as stridulation. Interestingly, the frequency of their chirping can also indicate the temperature and season; a higher chirping rate generally correlates with warmer temperatures.

Feeding Habits: Crickets are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on a variety of organic materials. They consume plant matter, fungi, and even other small insects. Their feeding habits play a role in decomposing matter and recycling nutrients back into their ecosystems. Although they are not social insects like ants or bees, crickets do utilize resource sharing of food and shelter.

Socialization: While many cricket species are solitary, some exhibit social behavior, particularly during mating. The intensity and frequency of the chirping can indicate a male’s health and vitality, helping females choose suitable mates. Crickets can display complex interactions such as aggressive encounters between males over territorial disputes. These confrontations may involve physical fights or displays of dominance, such as increased chirping or posturing. The outcomes of these interactions help establish hierarchies among males.

Species-Specific Calls: Different cricket species have distinct calling patterns and frequencies. These species-specific calls help crickets identify and communicate with members of their own species.

Prepare to Catch Crickets

Gather Supplies

• Flashlight: A bright light is necessary to see and catch crickets at night.
• Container: Commercial traps or DIY jars, boxes, or buckets.
• Bait: Crickets are attracted to fruit like apples and bananas, honey, sugar water, vegetables, and dry grains. You can also use commercial cricket bait which contains pheromones to attract and catch these insects.

Different Types of Cricket Traps

Retail Cricket Traps

• Traps with Lures and Pheromones: These box traps are designed with specific lures and/or pheromones that attract crickets. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for optimal placement and effectiveness.
• Glue Traps: Glue traps have a surface coated with a strong adhesive and have bait which attracts the pests and immobilizes them.

DIY Traps

• Bucket Traps: Place a large bucket in an area where crickets are active. Attach a ramp, such as a piece of wood, to the side of the bucket. Add your chosen bait inside the bucket and fill it with soapy water. The crickets will climb aboard the ramp, fall into the bucket, and drown.
• Light Trap: You will need a light source such as a lamp or lantern and a shallow container. Place the light near the container and fill the container with soapy water. The light will attract the crickets and as they jump towards it, they will fall into the container and drown.
• Jar Trap: Using a glass jar with lid, place your bait inside. If possible, cut a good-sized hole into the lid and place on top. Once crickets enter the jar, it is difficult for them to leave due to the smooth walls.
• Beer Traps: Crickets are attracted to the smell of beer. Pour a small amount of beer into a shallow dish and place it where crickets are active. The crickets will be drawn to the smell and become trapped.

Alternative Methods for Catching Crickets

Attract Predators 

• Birds are natural predators of crickets so installing bird feeders and baths will help control the cricket population around your home.
• Frogs and other amphibians also prey on crickets.

Outdoor Maintenance

• Lawn and vegetation: Keep your yard well-maintained and be sure vegetation is away from your house. Crickets love to hide in overgrown plants and tall vegetation.
• Remove Debris: Clear piles of leaves, wood, and other debris. Crickets will use these environments for shelter.
• Fix Leaks: Address any outdoor water sources, such as leaky hoses or sprinklers which contribute to excess moisture.
• Improve Drainage: Ensure that your yard has proper drainage to prevent standing water. Crickets are drawn to wet areas, so eliminating these conditions can help deter them from taking up residence.

Professional Pest Management

Calling in the experts like Kapture Pest Control is the most effective preventive step you can take. Professional pest management offers a plethora of benefits that will improve your quality of life and peace of mind. Here are just a few reasons to use professionals to prevent and treat crickets.

• The Pest Control Experts: Pest control pros have extensive training, knowledge, experience, and continued education to tackle a wide range of pests, including crickets. We understand the behaviors of pests that range from insects like crickets to rodents, and more. This allows us to survey a property and make the most effective pest management plan based on your needs.
• Comprehensive Solutions: Not only can professional pest control experts handle immediate issues, but we can create a strategy for prevention that simply cannot be executed though DYI measures. Proper pest control is a multi-level approach that uses customized solutions based on your needs.
• Effective and Safe Treatments: Pest control gurus use specialized tools and treatments that are more effective than over-the-counter methods. Utilizing potent and safe chemicals minimizes potentially harmful and toxic risk to you and your family. We stay current on strict industry guidelines and regulations to ensure your safety while remaining highly effective at controlling your pest problems.
• Time and Cost Efficiency: While DIY methods might not seem cost-effective initially, they often fail to provide lasting results, leading to repeated efforts and expenses. Professional pest control services offer long-term solutions that can ultimately save you money by preventing recurring infestations. Additionally, professionals can resolve issues more quickly and efficiently, saving you time and hassle.
• Peace of Mind: We offer guarantees for our services and will return if the problem persists, ensuring that your property remains pest-free. Our preventive measures give you the freedom to enjoy your home while we protect it from pests.

Catch Cricket Infestations Head-on

Identify the Source

Pinpointing the source of a cricket infestation is necessary in order to effectively control these pests. Here are some tips on identifying where these little noisemakers are finding their way into your home.

• Observe Cricket Activity: LISTEN. Start by noting where you hear the loudest cricket chirping, especially at night when they are most active. Hot Tip: If they suddenly stop making their music then you know you are close! If you see them during the day, be sure to investigate that area at night for sounds of proof.
• Inspect Common Hiding Spots: Dark and moist areas like basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms are typical favorites for crickets. Small crevices and gaps are perfect doorways to your domain. Also, look around doorways, baseboards, and cracks in your walls for easy access points.
• Call The Professionals: If a cricket infestation is severe, it can easily become too difficult to manage on your own. Consider consulting pest care professionals like Kapture Pest Control.

Catching crickets effectively involves a combination of understanding their behavior and using the proper supplies. From simple DIY traps to advanced techniques and natural methods, there are numerous strategies to manage crickets. Whether you’re dealing with an infestation that requires a professional pest expert or are simply working to prevent a cricket outbreak, the methods outlined in this guide provide comprehensive solutions. By staying proactive and employing a variety of approaches, you can successfully manage cricket populations and enjoy a more peaceful and cricket-free environment.

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