Having our fair share of insects and pests, Texas locals are pestered by pests of many variations, sizes and colors. Pests are known to destroy property, spread diseases, trigger allergies, or a bit of all of them. Locally, we have House Crickets, Camel Carpets, and Field Carpets and these crickets can present problems occasionally. With this in mind, we at A-Tex Pest Management would like to elaborate on the basics of the crickets in the area.
Where Do Camel Crickets Live?
These crickets were named camel crickets due to their humpbacked appearance. These are the most common crickets, widespread throughout the U.S. and the world. They do not have wings and camel crickets do not chirp, unlike other crickets. When they are frightened, as their only defense mechanism, camel crickets will leap to scare off predators. These crickets are frequently mottled with dark bands on some segments and range from light to dark brown. Camel crickets have very enlarged hind legs in addition to the humpbacked shape. Females lay eggs in early spring and they hatch sometime in April and are active at night. They hide during the day as nocturnal insects and will often overwinter as young nymphs or adults. Where they can find cool and moist environments, like under stones, woodpiles, railroad ties, debris, and mulch, camel crickets stick to lurking close to buildings outdoors. Camel crickets tend to stick close to drainage pipes, under air conditioner units, or sheds around the home. The crawl spaces, garages, utility rooms, damp basements, and occasionally in attics are the places these crickets seek when they come inside. After they get inside, they are responsible for damaging fabrics such as clothing, linens, and curtains.
What Attracts House Crickets?
As the most common cricket to invade homes where they have all the necessities and survive indefinitely, house crickets are rightfully named. From the males rubbing their front wings together to attract females, they are infamous for their loud chirping. Ranging 3/4 – 7/8” long, these crickets are typically a yellowish-brown with three dark cross bands on their head. Nymphs are wingless but look much like adults otherwise as house crickets have thread-like antennae that are longer than their body and their wings lie flat on their back. Though they also chew on fabric like camel crickets, their mating song an indication a house cricket has taken over your home.
Field Crickets in House
They average 1″ in length and these crickets range from black to dark reddish-brown. The cerci are hairy, longer than head and prothorax combined with wings as the field cricket antennae are longer than the body and are black. Field crickets’ diets include small fruits, seeds and seedlings of wild and crop plants, as well as dead and dying insects. In the protected areas from predators and cold night, winds are where they look for undergrowth in moderately humid areas.
Cricket Pest Inspections, Control & More in Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park & Austin Texas
A-Tex Pest Management can be called on the case and eliminate them from your home before they destroy and keep you awake with their chirping, no matter which crickets are invading your Greater Austin, Texas home. Contact us today!