Field Crickets

Warm California summer nights are filled with the sound of crickets. Field crickets. Once in awhile a Field cricket will find its way inside through open doors, windows, cracks in the foundation, and siding. Unlike House crickets, Field crickets can’t survive for long indoors so they’re considered just an occasional invader. Field crickets are accidental invaders; they live outdoors but may occasionally wander indoors. Field crickets make their home in tall grass and in the ground or under lawn debris. They are quite harmless but may startle you when they jump. These are true crickets. They like moist areas such as mulch or in woodpiles as well as under stones and plant debris. Field crickets feed on dead animal and plant material.

Field Crickets as Pests

Sometimes a real outbreak of Field crickets can happen around a home or business and the constant chirping becomes annoying. Dead crickets pile up, creating an unpleasant odor. Field crickets can cause damage to young plants but on the other hand, they do eat fly larvae and other pests.

Field crickets are attracted to outdoor lights.

The chirping is actually singing. Male crickets sing to the females when searching for a mate. If one is near, he’ll soften his song in hopes she’ll choose him. But if you have an infestation, you most likely don’t give a hoot which song the male is chirping!

How to Prevent Field Cricket Infestations

In two words – “outdoor lights.” Crickets are attracted to electric lights. Brightly lit homes or commercial buildings are most likely to attract large amounts of crickets, especially during the fall mating season. Reducing the outdoor lighting around your home or business will help with cricket control. Floodlights should be turned off or limited to just a few hours at a time. Check with your local hardware store for light bulbs less attractive to insects such as the yellow, incandescent bug-lights. Hearts Pest Management can treat for cricket problems but using insecticides is just a partial solution. Combining treatment with the reduction of outdoor lighting will greatly help remedy an infestation, however, if the lighting isn’t adjusted or the type of bulbs used, Field crickets will continue to be drawn to the light and cause problems. Please call for more information or to schedule a service. Ask about our free inspections. You’re also welcome to complete the form below and a caring Hearts Pest Management representative will contact you shortly.

800-986-1006

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