Camel Cricket
Pest Status:
Name:
Order Orthoptera
Size:
body that is up to one and a half inches long. It doesn’t have wings but has antennae that are four inches long. Long hind legs and the head bent downwards are other distinguishing characteristics.
Colour:
grayish or brown
Camel crickets are common all around and can be a nuisance, especially during the dry weather. While a camel cricket bite isn’t harmful, their presence can cause damage.
Here’s everything you need to know about these pests.
Facts, Identification, and Control
Below are some camel cricket facts to know.
Facts about Camel Crickets
Camel crickets love moist and dark areas to hide from predators.
Where Do They Live?
They can live in burrows, caves, trees, fields, and garbage dumps. When it’s cold, crickets may get into sheds and houses.
What do camel crickets eat?
These pests feed on organic items like fruits, fungi, roots, and tubers. They also feed on insects and household bugs. These pests chew through leaves and vegetation. They have a habit of eating clothes, paper, and other items.
How Did I Get Camel Cricket
Camel crickets love crawl spaces, garages, utility rooms, and damp basements. They love these dark areas as they allow them to feed in peace. If you have woodpiles or mulch in your backyard, you may attract these crickets.
You can get camel crickets if you have holes in your walls, windows, or floors. These pests are common during the end of summer or the beginning of fall.
How Serious are Camel Cricket Problems?
Camel crickets can cause problems like:
Damage to Fabrics
These crickets eat away at soft fabrics like silk. They may leave holes in bedding, curtains, and other items made with fabric. If not controlled, they can ruin expensive clothing.
Creeping
Camel crickets do not chirp a lot, but they tend to jump or crawl on you while you’re sleeping. They use this as a defense mechanism to scare off predators.
What Can I Do About Camel Crickets?
As a homeowner, you can carry out camel cricket control by adding a dehumidifier to make the conditions uncomfortable and dry in your house. Inspect the foundation and walls and seal any holes to prevent access.
Putting a sticky trap or a vacuum can help you capture some, but professional extermination will help deal with this issue entirely.
Signs of a Camel Cricket Infestation
You may have a cricket infestation if you hear loud chirps at night. They make these noises to attract mates. Large feeding holes on fabrics like silk, wool, and synthetic fibers is another indication of an infestation.
Camel Cricket Prevention and Control Tips
Camel cricket control tips include:
Mowing the Lawn
You should mow the lawn and clear any garbage regularly to remove the bugs that the pests feed on.
Waterproof Indoor Areas
Damp conditions attract camel crickets, which ensures their survival. Without the moisture, these pests escape to other places or die. Waterproof your indoors and areas surrounding the house. Use a dehumidifier to minimize your home’s humidity.
Put Traps in Place
Sticky camel cricket poison traps can get rid of camel crickets because as soon as they get on the traps, they’ll die of fatigue and starvation.
Camel Cricket Professional Pest Control
Although camel crickets do not bite, they can be a nuisance and damage your belongings. You need to contact a professional pest control company to learn more about how to control camel cricket infestation. They have trained staff knowledgeable on different methods to get rid of camel crickets and prevent a re-infestation.
More Information about Camel Cricket
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Spotted-Camel-Cricket
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/camel-crickets
https://www.livescience.com/47646-invasive-camel-crickets-widespread.html
FAQ’s:
Why do I have so many camel crickets in my house?
Camel crickets can enter your home several ways, and once in, they will hide in the dark areas and out of the way corners of your home that are often overlooked and hard to get to. Common routes into your home may be from cracks and holes in foundations to openings around doors and windows, and possibly even clothing or items brought in from the outside.
How long will a camel cricket live in my house?
The male camel crickets live at most two to three months and die shortly after mating. The female camel crickets die a few days after laying eggs.
Do camel crickets bite?
Camel cricks do not pose any health threats to humans, as they lack fangs or the ability to bite. However, they can become a nuisance if they gain entry into a home. Some species have been known to damage clothing and other fabrics like curtains.