Four Easy & Effective Cricket Prevention Tips For Chicago Homeowners

A cricket in the basement of a Chicago home
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There is a reason alarm sounds are annoying. For many people, it takes an abrasive noise to wake them up from their slumber, but others don’t need such drastic measures. That said, the loud chirping of cricket inside a home is enough to wake up both the lightest and the heaviest of sleepers alike. If you are looking for a way to keep these pests out of your living spaces, here are four effective cricket prevention tips to use around your Chicago home.

Step One: Learn About The Types Of Crickets That Live Around Chicago

Two types of crickets live here in Chicago; those who chirp, and those who do not. Here in Chicago, these two sides are represented by house crickets and camel crickets. House crickets are smaller at around 16-21mm long and produce a loud chirping sound at night with their wings, a sound exclusively used by males to attract mates. Camel crickets, on the other hand, do not chirp and can grow to be upwards of 31mm long.

One way to tell these two crickets apart, besides the noise they do or don’t make, is by their body shape and color. Camel crickets have a humbled back, enlarged hind legs, and are brown with mottled markings and dark bands on some segments of their body and legs. House crickets are yellowish-brown, have three dark bands on their head, enlarged hind legs, and a pair of wings.

Step Two: Figure Out Why Crickets Invade Homes

Crickets are nocturnal insects that primarily feed on plants and other insects. During times of inclement weather, cold temperatures, and unfavorable outdoor conditions, these pests, along with the pests they hunt, invade homes to find shelter. If your home generally has trouble with pests, crickets might invade at other times to hunt. Even with all of these factors, one of the most common reasons crickets come indoors is that they simply wandered inside.

Step Three: Assess Your Risk

Crickets are not dangerous pests. They do not spread diseases and don’t have a stinger. The only threat these pests pose is with their fangs, which they occasionally use to bite humans. That said, as long as you don’t roughly handle one of these insects, they are unlikely to cause you any harm.

Step Four: Implement Prevention

Crickets invade homes in many ways and stick around for a laundry list of reasons. To reduce your home’s chances of having a cricket infestation, here are a few practical pest prevention tips our experts recommend you try:

  • Use a caulk gun or some liquid cement to fill gaps, holes, and cracks in your home’s exterior.
  • Make sure the window/door screens are damage-free.
  • Address issues with weatherstripping and make sure your exterior doors have door sweeps.
  • Fix leaky piping and fixtures around your home.
  • Eliminate sources of water build-up.
  • Use a dehumidifier indoors.
  • Store leftover foods inside airtight containers.
  • Turn off exterior lights at night or invest in insect-resistant light bulbs.
  • Keep unscreened doors and windows closed as much as possible.

To keep crickets out of your home without the hassle of DIY pest prevention, get the professionals at Aerex Pest Control involved. We have been handling pest problems for years and would be happy to put in place measures to get and keep crickets out for good.

Call our team today to reclaim your good night’s sleep and show crickets where they belong.

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