As temperatures cool and autumn arrives, crickets often seek the warmth of your home, becoming an unwelcome indoor presence. While their familiar chirping may seem harmless, crickets can cause damage and disrupt your peace. Effective pest control can prevent these critters from overtaking your space. When you need pest control services in Sacramento or the surrounding towns, contact Direct Hit Pest Control.

Field Crickets - The Common Culprit

Field crickets are the most common species encountered indoors during fall. They undergo a life cycle with three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. After hatching, nymphs resemble small, wingless versions of adults and molt several times before maturing. Mating involves males producing a distinctive chirping sound by rubbing their wings together—a behavior known as stridulation—to attract females. These sounds are also a way to defend territory and warn rivals. Crickets are omnivorous, feeding on plants, decaying organic matter, and smaller insects. At night, they are often drawn to artificial lights, possibly due to confusion in navigation. 

While relatively harmless to humans, they can damage fabrics, paper, and even indoor plants. Their tendency to gather near doorways, windows, and basements makes entry prevention critical for fall pest control. Sealing cracks and gaps, and ensuring window screens are secure will keep these chirping intruders from invading your home or building.

Jerusalem Crickets - Unsettling but Rare

Jerusalem crickets, while not actual crickets, are another pest that can make fall appearances in homes, particularly in the western United States. These large, slow-moving insects are often mistaken for dangerous species due to their menacing appearance, but they are generally harmless to humans. However, their presence is unsettling, and they can bite if handled. Jerusalem crickets feed on decaying plant matter and typically remain outdoors, though sealing entry points will prevent accidental intrusion.

Prevention and Control

The best method to control crickets is prevention. Keep outdoor lights to a minimum, as crickets are attracted to bright lights. Regularly trim your lawn and remove piles of leaves or debris where crickets might hide. Indoors, vacuum often to eliminate crumbs or food particles that might attract them. If crickets have already entered your home, sticky traps can effectively reduce their numbers, while natural repellents like diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled around entry points.

Pest Control in Sacramento

When you have a cricket problem, contact Direct Hit Pest Control. We provide professional residential and commercial pest control in Sacramento, Rio Linda, and the surrounding California communities. Our team has more than 30 years of pest control experience, giving us the knowledge and know-how to provide the highest quality services. We routinely help our clients with insect infestation and prevention. If something unwanted is living in your trees, yard, or under your roof, it’s best to let a professional pest control technician remove it so you don’t put yourself at risk of bites or other injuries To request an estimate or more information about pest control in Sacramento, give our friendly team a call at (916) 992-6870 today.