You want to take a bath… And they’re lurking in your tub.

You open the laundry room door… And they leap out at you.

You try to sleep at night… And the incessant chirping keeps you away for hours.

Some people think crickets are adorable, harmless little insects. And then there’s the rest of us. While it’s true that they won’t harm you, exactly, crickets sure are obnoxious! Some people even have a phobia of them, and pretty much no one actually likes seeing insects in their home. So, what can you do to get rid of crickets?

Prevention. As with all insect infestations, prevention is the best remedy. When you learn what attracts crickets to your home, you can take steps to deter many of them.

So with that in mind, keep in mind that crickets are like most other insects. They are attracted to lights, so leaving outside lights on at night will serve as a beacon inviting them your way. If you don’t want to turn off the lights, consider replacing the bulbs with yellow “bug lights” or amber LED bulbs. Using shutters and drapes to cover windows at night will also keep crickets away from those areas.

Crickets love water, too, which is why you often find them in the bathrooms and basement. In fact, if you consistently find crickets in your basement, this is probably a sign that you need to take steps to reduce moisture, such as installing a dehumidifier (or several). Some homes need additional ventilation as well.

And, of course, reducing clutter will help quite a bit. Regular vacuuming, especially in cracks and crevices, will help rid your home of cricket eggs.

Treatment. As for getting rid of the crickets you already have, treatment will depend upon your preferences and how severe the problem happens to be. Diatomaceous earth is a safe, organic method of dealing with insect infestations. On the down side, it’s also messy and will take time to work. Various traps might work well for the occasional unwanted guest, but won’t stop a full-on invasion.

On that note, give us a call if you’re dealing with a high volume of these annoying little hoppers. We can help you assess your problem, and apply the appropriate treatments to eradicate them.