Whether it’s spring, summer, or fall, just about everyone is familiar with those distinctive chirps that seem to come from everywhere all night long.
Crickets are a common insect found in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Hazleton areas, as well as other parts of the United States. What you might not know is how many different types of crickets are hopping around.
Unfortunately, though crickets typically like to stick to the outdoors, as winter rolls around, they may find the warm accommodations of your home irresistible. So, what exactly is a cricket, and how can one affect your home?
What is a Cricket?
Crickets are small insects identified by their distinctive chirping. They can range between ½ – 1 ½ inches long, depending on the species. Each type produces a distinct sound by rubbing their hind legs and front wings together. Like most insects, their bodies are covered in a hard exoskeleton, and these little creatures can be found just about anywhere in the US. However, there are usually two distinct types that can be found indoors in Northeast, Pennsylvania. In addition, there are several other species you may find throughout the area.
Why Are They 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. If you’ve heard the familiar chirping of a cricket in your home, here are the top five crickets that reside in Northeast, Pennsylvania.
1. House Cricket
Unlike 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
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 gifted 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 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.
The Trouble
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 when 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.
Concluding Thoughts
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 if the infestation is out of hand, seek out a professional pest control expert.
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