Did you know that in Chinese lore crickets are believed to be a sign of good luck? Some are still kept as pets for their beautiful song in certain parts of China. Here in Lexington, on the other hand, crickets are more annoying than lucky. Commonly found inside homes and known to be quite a nuisance to homeowners, camel crickets have made a name for themselves as a pest. If you are having trouble with crickets around your Lexington home, we have some information you should know.
What Are Camel Crickets?
Camel crickets, otherwise known as cave crickets, are a common species of home-invading pests here in Lexington. Identifiable by their hunched backs and light to dark brown-colored bodies, camel crickets can be found around damp and cool areas inside homes. Unable to fly, camel crickets use their strong legs to jump. This ability to jump is their primary form of self-defense and is used any time they feel threatened. Typically only active at night, camel crickets live on a diet of fungi, cardboard, wood, and insects. Camel crickets have even been known to eat their own kind.
Are Camel Crickets Dangerous?
Fortunately, camel crickets do not possess a stinger or have the ability to bite humans. They also are not known to carry or spread any dangerous diseases, pathogens, or parasites. What they are capable of doing is damaging things around your home such as clothing, curtains, and other fabric-based items. Fortunately, camel crickets are not capable of creating annoying high pitched chirping, unlike other types of crickets.
What Attracts Camel Crickets To A Home?
Camel crickets tend to only invade homes when the weather outside threatens their health. If it becomes too hot, too humid, or if a storm passes through, camel crickets are likely to seek shelter within a home or outbuilding. Camel crickets can stick around indoors if they find a sustainable source of food and a moist cool place to hide. Generally, camel crickets will stick around basements, cellars, crawl spaces, and other areas of the home that are dark and high in humidity. If your home has problems with other pests such as centipedes, spiders, flies, etc, crickets will have no problem sustaining themselves and might not leave once the weather outside becomes friendly again. This is where real problems start, especially because camel crickets like to stick together in groups.
Prevention Tips For Camel Crickets
To keep camel crickets out of your home, here are some strategies we recommend you try.
- Use a caulking gun and some quality caulk to seal up gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Repair or replace ripped or torn window/door screens.
- Make sure your gutters are in good working order.
- Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity down around basements and other humid areas.
- Fix leaky piping and plumbing throughout your home.
- Eliminate sources of water build-up.
- Keep clutter in your home to a minimum.
- Clean inside frequently.
- Install door sweeps under the exterior doors of your home.
- Do your best to keep your yard clear of clutter and organic debris.
- Keep your lawn well-trimmed and your landscaping maintained.
How To Get Camel Crickets Out Of Your Home
If you are having trouble with annoying camel crickets around your Lexington home, the experts here at Action Pest Control are here to help. Our team of highly trained pest professionals has the tools and experience needed to quickly and effectively remove unwanted crickets from your home. Give us a call today with questions about our home pest control services or to schedule a visit for your Lexington home.