The sounds of nature can be soothing, but when you’re dealing with constant chirping from crickets night after night, you can go insane.
Crickets are a common insect found in Eastern Pennsylvania, from the forests surrounding the Lehigh Valley to the Pocono mountain range. While most commonly found outside, these creatures can sometimes end up inside and keep you up at night if you can’t find them.
Furthermore, as winter rolls around, crickets may find the warm accommodations of your home irresistible.
Nevertheless, not all crickets act the same so understanding what type of cricket you’re dealing with and some handy prevention tips can help your home stay cricket-free.
What is a Cricket?
Crickets are small insects identified by their distinctive chirping. Depending on the species, they can range between ½ – 1 ½ inches long. Each type of cricket produces a distinct sound by rubbing its hind legs and front wings together.
Like most insects, crickets are covered in a hard exoskeleton, and these little creatures can be found just about anywhere in the US.
There are usually two distinct types that can be found indoors in Northeast Pennsylvania, though you may encounter up to five different types across the state.
5 Types of Crickets in Pennsylvania
1. House Cricket
Contrary to what their name suggests, these crickets live outdoors during the warmer months. Unfortunately, they’ve earned their name because they may invade homes in large numbers.
These crickets are yellow-ish brown with dark bands on their heads, and they run between ¾ – 1 inch long.
Once the weather grows colder, house crickets will seek out warm places. Once in your home, they may pick the most comfortable places, like kitchens, fireplaces, cracks, crevices, and baseboards.
While their presence can be overwhelming, especially in large numbers, these creatures are more irritating than harmless. They usually cause minor damage.
Crickets tend to eat paper, silk, woolens, fruits, and vegetables. They can even have a taste for rubber. In the single digits, crickets won’t cause much damage; however, if you find an overwhelming amount, they can ruin furniture, curtains, and clothing
2. Field Cricket
Also called Gryllinae, these tiny insects typically reside in fields, as the name suggests. They chirp all day and night and tend to stay hidden from humans if they can. You’re more likely to see a few of these near or in your home if you live near fields or in the country. However, these insects are typically killed by the winter frost.
3. Mole Cricket
True to its name, mole crickets are given their name because of their appearance. They are mole-like in more than just looks, though. These crickets also burrow deep with their forelegs and live underground in extensive tunnel systems. You can identify these insects by their low-pitched sounds. Likely, you will hear these crickets more than you will see them.
4. Tree Cricket
On the opposite end of the spectrum, tree crickets find their home in trees. Unlike the often more dark or muted color crickets, this type is bright green.
They tend to stick to shrubs and blend in with trees. In fact, tree crickets have a vast number of subspecies that match the particular trees they reside in.
5. Spider Cricket
Also known as camel crickets or cave crickets, spider crickets are another type often found in homes. Larger than other crickets, they tend to be between ½ to 1 ½ inches long and are light to dark brown in color.
They earned their “spider” name thanks to the humpback position of their legs.
Spider crickets are attracted to moisture and favor cool, damp places. You’ll often find them in garages, basements, crawl spaces, and woodpiles.
Like all other crickets, they are harmless, but they can be irritating and cause damage to fabrics and other objects. Unlike most other crickets, they do not chirp.
Why Are Crickets in My House?
Much like other pests, when the outside temperatures start to drop, they go on the lookout for shelter. Typically scavengers, these insects look for warmth, food, moisture, and shelter for the colder months, which might land them inside your home.
The Trouble with Crickets
While crickets of any kind aren’t particularly harmful, they can do a bit of damage to your home if left unchecked. They will eat practically anything. Often, a cricket will gnaw its way through clothes, food, and other household items.
Generally, they try to avoid humans, but if the weather changes, they might be forced inside. While they may not cause any lasting harm, their chirping can become very irritating if you don’t know where to find them.
Of course, their presence is even worse depending on the numbers.
Signs of a Cricket Problem in Your Home
Finding crickets in your home is actually more common than you may think and their chirping sound may not be the only sign of an infestation.
- Chirping sounds: The most obvious sign; this is usually more noticeable at night.
- Damage to fabrics and paper: You may begin to notice irregular holes in clothes, curtains, or cardboard.
- Sightings in damp areas: Look near basements, crawlspaces, garages, and near leaky pipes.
- Droppings: Search for small black droppings near food sources or nesting spots.
- Musty odor: Large infestations can leave behind a slightly musty smell.
Cricket Prevention Tips for Pennsylvania Homeowners
Generally, by following some essential exterior pest control tips and blocking off access points, you can keep crickets out of your home for good.
- Seal entry points: Caulk cracks around doors, windows, and foundation gaps.
- Control moisture: Fix leaky pipes, dehumidify basements, and keep crawlspaces dry.
- Reduce outdoor lighting: Lights attract crickets, especially at night.
- Maintain your yard: Keep grass trimmed, remove woodpiles, and move mulch away from the foundation.
- Store items properly: Keep clothing, paper, and fabrics in sealed bins.
- Regular inspections: Schedule seasonal pest checks, especially in late summer and fall when crickets move indoors.
Crickets are a common, yet harmless insect that can sometimes pose a problem should they find their way inside your home. If you want to stop them from getting in and eating you out of house and home, you can perform some simple yearly maintenance to keep them out.
Make sure you seal off any possible entryways, treat any leaking pipes or areas with extreme moisture, and seek a professional pest control expert if the infestation is out of hand.
FAQs
Are crickets dangerous to humans?
No, crickets don’t bite or spread diseases in homes, but they can damage fabrics and food sources. In Northeast Pennsylvania, they’re considered more of a nuisance pest than a health hazard.
Why do I hear crickets at night in my home?
Male crickets chirp at night to attract females, which is why the sound is so noticeable in quiet evenings. Homes near wooded lots or grassy fields in the Lehigh Valley tend to experience louder and more frequent chirping.
Do spider crickets really jump at people?
Yes, spider crickets tend to leap when startled, but it’s a defense mechanism—they don’t actually attack. Their sudden jumps can be alarming, especially in basements and damp crawlspaces common across Hazleton and other NEPA towns.
