In summer, crickets make their characteristic chirping sound. In small numbers, these crickets are not annoying. However, when they begin to reproduce indoors, crickets can damage paper products, clothing, furniture and even walls. Learn how to take simple steps to control the cricket population in your home and prevent them from taking over your basement.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Repel Crickets from Your Home
Step 1. Catch with cricket bait
This easy method of fishing for crickets from nooks and crannies is the most effective and quick solution.
- Place a few spoonfuls of syrup in a shallow bowl and fill it halfway with water. Place the bowl in the room where the crickets are nesting. Crickets love syrup and will jump into the bowl when they smell it. Empty the bowl regularly.
- Chemical baits for crickets are sold in building stores. This bait uses the same basic method of catching crickets. If you use this type of bait, make sure your family and pets don't go near it, as this bait is poisonous.
Step 2. Set up the trap
Glue traps are a good poison-free way to catch crickets. This is wise if you have small children or pets who are sensitive to insect repellent sprays which are often toxic. Place cricket traps along problem areas, such as walls, windows or doorways. The closer to the heat and humidity of the insect's entrance, the more likely this trap will attract passing crickets.
Step 3. Use insect repellent
Most insect repellent sprays kill crickets effectively. Use an all-purpose spray or a spray made specifically for crickets, and spray in corners, along window sills, and where you see crickets. Be careful when using this spray, as it contains toxic chemicals.
Step 4. Destroy the eggs
Crickets can lay eggs indoors, which can lead to outbreaks that quickly get out of control.
- Try vacuuming this area with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. This is a high-powered machine that will pull eggs from the carpet or wherever the crickets lay eggs. Discard the contents of the vacuum cleaner in a tightly tied plastic bag.
- Most sprays used for live crickets will also kill cricket eggs. Spray along the trim and floorboards, where crickets usually lay their eggs.
Part 2 of 3: Eliminating the Cicada Nesting Area
Step 1. Close your house tightly
The easiest method to prevent crickets in your home is to prevent them from entering your home by keeping your windows and doors tightly closed. Crickets can enter through even the tiniest of openings, so make sure you check carefully for areas where crickets can enter or make nests.
- Eliminate small recesses by caulking windows and cracks in walls.
- You can purchase an additional device to attach to the base of the door as a cover, which will prevent crickets from sneaking in from under the door.
- Make sure your vents are covered with gauze.
Step 2. Close your trash tightly
The smell of garbage attracts crickets. Placing litter outside in a tightly closed container will prevent crickets from breeding on your property and entering your home.
Step 3. Prune the plant
Crickets make nests in tall grass and other plants. Prune your plants and lawns so the crickets have nowhere to nest.
- Make sure that grass-like plants are a few feet away from the house, so that crickets that might be nesting there don't have easy access to the house.
- Prune vines and other vegetation that is covering the ground.
- Piles of wood, mounds of leaves, and piles of compost should be placed away from the house.
- Check drainage and gutters for leaves and other plant debris that may be piling up. Crickets often nest in these areas.
Part 3 of 3: Making Your Property Uninhabitable for Crickets
Step 1. No bright light
Crickets are attracted to light, and if your home is brightly lit at night, you may be luring crickets towards your home.
- Dim "insect lights" or red LED lights can be purchased at a building materials store. These lights are designed not to attract crickets and other insects.
- If you light up the yard at night, place the lights away from the house so they don't attract the crickets inside.
- Close curtains and shutters at night to prevent bright light from entering the house from attracting crickets.
Step 2. Let the natural predators live
Geckos or lizards and spiders are natural predators of crickets, so if you allow them to live in your home, they will naturally control the cricket population.
- Avoid spraying your home with insecticides, which are toxic to cricket predators.
- Cats and birds are also natural predators of crickets. Keep your cat outside, and consider installing a bird feeder.
