What Is A Cricket?
Crickets can survive indefinitely once they enter your home. Crickets are light yellowish brown with three dark crossbands on their head. They are 3/4 – 7/8 inches long and have longer antennae than their bodies. The most obvious sign you have a cricket infestation is the presence of crickets in your home. They are known for their loud chirping, which is caused when males rub their front wings together to attract the females. They will typically search for warm, moist environments within your home. Another common sign of a cricket infestation is the chirping noise, their calling song, which often occurs at night. If you hear this chirping, it could be a sign of a cricket infestation.
The Damage And Disruptions Crickets Can Cause In Your Home
You may think crickets are simply nuisance pests, but they can be harmful and cause significant damage to items in your home. Crickets don't bite or sting. Instead, the health risks associated with crickets are the parasites and illnesses they carry, such as E. coli and salmonella. The worms found in cricket feces can cause unpleasant, itchy rashes on those who come in contact. Crickets can also cause flu-like symptoms. Ensuring you eliminate these pests quickly and maintain practices in your home is critical to keeping you and your loved ones safe from health risks.
In addition to health risks, crickets like to chew on plants, fabrics, wood, leftover food, and paper in your home. Once they are inside your home, they'll eat just about anything. A cricket infestation often leads to finding uneven wallpaper, chewed clothing, and other damaged household items. They can also disrupt your sleep with their loud noises.
How And Why Crickets Find Their Way Into Homes
Due to their small size, crickets can fit into tiny openings in your home. Crickets are typically found under appliances since they like cool, damp places. They are known for hiding behind kitchen cabinets and toe kicks in bathrooms. There are several reasons crickets found their way into your home, but one could be your outdoor lighting. Heavy outdoor lighting attracts crickets. Some ways to deter crickets from entering your home include:
- Using yellow outdoor lights reduces your chances of getting more crickets in your home.
- Door sweeps can also keep crickets from getting indoors.
- Sticky traps around the garage can help catch crickets.
- Remove any clutter around your home, as these are good hiding places for crickets.
- Seal any gaps in your home to prevent crickets from coming inside.
If you are dealing with crickets in your home, getting them out by yourself can be complicated. Partnering with pest control professionals is the best approach to an active infestation.
The Best Way To Keep Crickets Out Of Your Home For Good
Your home is supposed to be a safe, healthy haven for your family. If crickets move in, they threaten your health, damage your belongings, and cause severe stress. To protect your family, sometimes the help of professionals is necessary. If your home requires professional pest control, you can count on the services of Aerex Pest Control. We are a family-owned and operated business that has been solving cricket problems in the Chicago area for over 70 years.
At Aerex Pest Control, we care about the health and safety of your family. That's why we only use EPA-registered products and employ treatment methods that use as little product as possible while still providing outstanding results. We also back our service with a 30-day re-treatment guarantee. You can feel confident that your pest problems will be solved when you choose Aerex Pest Control. Contact us today to schedule a cricket inspection for your Chicago home.