During this time of the year, we enjoy the sound of birds chirping their melodious songs, and at night, one can occasionally hear the croaking of frogs. One sound that quickly annoys many is the sound of crickets. We may not mind an occasional cricket chirping outside, but when a cricket gets into your Lexington home and sings away, we have a problem.
If you have crickets in your home keeping you from enjoying uninterrupted sleep, you need the Lexington pest control team from Action Pest Control. We are your local cricket experts.
What Is A Cricket?
Crickets are in the same order (Orthoptera) as locusts, grasshoppers, and katydids. Crickets are 0.12 to 2-inch insects with powerful hind legs, one slender antenna, and three-segmented tarsal (foot) joints. Crickets possess four wings, but only the long, rear membranous pair is for flying.
Of the 2,400 leaping species in the order Orthoptera, the cricket species most likely in your home is the house cricket. The heads of these crickets have three dark crossbands on their 3/4 to 7/8 inch light yellow-brown bodies. The outdoor diet of house crickets consists of plants and insects, while the indoor diet includes wool, silk, cotton, and synthetic fabrics.
How Do Crickets Make Noise?
The insect becomes a cricket noise maker through stridulation. On one of the front wings is 50 to 250 teeth. On the opposite wing, a vein runs across the base of the forewing. Stridulation occurs when the cricket rubs the ridged vein against the teeth on the opposite wing producing a vibration boosted by the delicate membrane on the wing.
Factors affecting the sounds crickets make are the temperature and the purpose of the chirping. Crickets sing faster in warmer weather. You can determine the "cricket temperature" in Fahrenheit by counting the chirps in 15 seconds and adding 40.
Crickets produce chirps for three purposes: to attract a mate, seduce the female, and ward off other males and predators. Because most crickets are nocturnal, they produce sound primarily at night; however, house crickets chirp all hours of the day. As a result, crickets in the house quickly irritate those trying to get sleep.
Will Crickets Mess Up My Furniture If They Get Inside?
Crickets in Lexington homes are seeking food and warmth. When they cannot find enough insects and plants to eat, they begin to feast on furniture. Crickets prefer fabrics tainted with body oils, perspiration, and food stains. They enjoy using their mandibles to nibble on wool, silk, cotton, rayon, and linen.
Crickets are surface feeders leaving a roughened surface when they finish feeding. If the infestation in the home is large, they may consume large amounts of fabric, causing substantial damage.
How Can I Get Rid Of The Crickets If I Can't Find Them?
Finding crickets in the house is difficult because they can quickly jump or fly. Their elusiveness and chirping create frustration for the homeowner. Places in the house to look for crickets include:
- Upholstered furniture
- Clothing
- Basement, crawlspace, and bathrooms
When not in the house, check for crickets in nearby bushes or areas with tall grass. Do the following to get rid of crickets in the house:
- Cover trash cans
- Dehumidify moist areas
- Apply sticky glue traps
- Spray visible crickets with soapy water
If you like animals, consider purchasing a cat because they love to catch and eat crickets!
In addition to taking these actions, secure the experts at Action Pest Control. Our professional pest control team members will use safe and effective treatments to eliminate crickets from your home. Contact us today, so you can get a good night's rest free from the crickets chirping.