Crickets, with their distinctive chirping sound, are fascinating insects. However, their presence can be a nuisance, especially during the summer when they become more active. Whether they have invaded your home or taken over your yard, it’s essential to address the situation to prevent any potential harm they may cause. In this guide, we’ll explore various methods to get rid of crickets effectively, both through natural remedies and chemical solutions, while also learning how to prevent their return.

How to Get Rid of Crickets in Your Home

1. Investigate Dark Areas and Listen for the Sound

Embark on your mission to rid your surroundings of crickets by focusing on areas that offer them shelter. These insects are particularly fond of nesting in dim and damp environments. When inspecting the outdoors, pay close attention to the perimeters of patios and walkways, the undersides of decorative planters, layers of mulch, and even the compost heap. Indoors, thoroughly investigate areas behind appliances, under sinks, inside vanity cabinets, along the edges of carpets, and underneath furniture. If you have a basement, don’t forget to check storage areas for seasonal items and clothing. As crickets emit a distinctive chirping sound, tracking that noise can assist you in pinpointing their hiding spots.

2. Use a Vacuum Cleaner

If you spot crickets indoors, use a vacuum cleaner to suck them up and dispose of the trash immediately. Vacuuming is essential even if you don’t see crickets since they may have laid eggs that can hatch later. Steam cleaning the floor or using a floor cleaner can help eliminate any eggs that you might have missed.

3. Make Your Own Repellent Solution

Crafting an effective cricket repellent spray is simple and eco-friendly. Combine fresh hot chilis or hot chili powder with water, and add a few drops of dish soap to the mix. For an added boost, consider incorporating crushed garlic cloves. When applying the spray, ensure you wear protective gear and cover both plant leaves and soil to deter crickets naturally.

4. Use Dish Soap and Water to Draw Crickets Out

For outdoor areas, mix dish soap and water to draw crickets to the surface. This will help you assess the infestation’s extent and make decisions about further pest control actions.

5. Use Boric Acid

Place strips or balls of boric acid in areas where you’ve seen crickets to damage their nervous system and kill them. Be cautious and read the instructions carefully, especially if you have kids or pets.

6. Use Sticky Traps

Set up sticky traps in high-traffic areas to attract and trap crickets. Molasses and water can also be used to create DIY traps for disposal.

7. Dust Diatomaceous Earth into Gaps and Crevices

Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in dry places where crickets are present to dehydrate and kill them. Avoid using it in wet areas as it becomes ineffective.

What Attracts Crickets to Your Home

Crickets are generally occasional invaders of homes and buildings just like millipedes and centipedes, preferring to live outdoors. They may enter structures in search of shelter during bad weather or accidentally through doors, windows, or other openings. Crickets are attracted to warmth, so you might find them near sources of heat, like furnaces or water heaters. Sealing off entry points and maintaining a temperature-controlled environment can help prevent them from coming inside.

How Do Crickets Get into Your Home

Crickets can effortlessly find their way into your home through minuscule openings in windows, plumbing, crawl spaces, and even beneath doors. It is essential to meticulously seal off all potential entry points, regardless of their size, to effectively prevent crickets from gaining access to your living space.

How to Keep Crickets Out of Your House

1. Seal Cracks and Doors

Dealing with pests in your pantry or home can be quite bothersome. To avoid such issues, it’s advisable to take some preventive measures. One effective approach is to block all potential entrance points by sealing cracks, holes, and openings in doors and windows. Keep windows and doors closed or use screens to prevent crickets from entering and laying eggs.

2. Manage Moisture with a Dehumidifier

Crickets thrive in warm and moist environments, so use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity in areas like the basement, laundry room, or bathroom.

3. Apply Lawn Treatments for Crickets

For outdoor areas, watch for mole cricket infestations in your lawn and apply appropriate treatments to reduce damage.

4. Keep Up with Garden Maintenance

Maintain a well-groomed lawn, clear away dead leaves, plant cuttings, and store firewood off the floor to deter crickets from hiding and feeding close to your home.

5. Lower Your Outdoor Lighting

Replace bright outdoor lights with warm-toned LEDs or amber lights to avoid attracting crickets and other pests to your property.

What Do House Crickets Eat?

House crickets are omnivores and eat rotting leaves, fruits, vegetables, and insects in nature. Indoors, they may feed on fabrics made of natural fibers like wool and silk, as well as wallpaper glue.

How To Catch a Cricket in Your House?

Utilize an empty glass jar, container, or even a beer can. Place it over the cricket, then carefully slide a piece of paper beneath the container or jar to ensnare the cricket. Once outside, lift the jar and release it outdoors.

How To Kill a Cricket in Your House?

To eliminate crickets, you can create a mixture of molasses and water in a small bowl. The sweet scent will attract the crickets, causing them to become trapped and eventually drown. Alternatively, you can employ an insect spray or a rolled-up newspaper. Directly target the cricket with the newspaper swing, or utilize the insect spray following the instructions on the product.