How To Get Rid Of Crickets

Crickets are a common pest both in gardens and in homes. They are not only annoying, but they can also cause damage to fabrics and our outside landscaping if not kept under control.

Are you wondering how to get rid of crickets on your property and keep them from returning? Then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we are going to learn about these pesky insects, how to manage an infestation, and how to get rid of crickets once and for all.

But before we begin, let’s learn a bit about these chirping bugs and talk about what has attracted them to your home in the first place.

Let’s get started.

What Are Crickets?

Crickets are nocturnal insects that feed on plants and organic materials. 

Commonly referred to as house crickets, the crickets that are often seen as pests in the United States were introduced by way of Europe. They are common throughout the United States but are most often found in the Eastern US.

Crickets can live both indoors and out, but they often become a nuisance when they enter our homes in the colder months seeking warmth, shelter and food. Known for making high chirping sounds at night, crickets can be problematic for more reasons than just disturbing the peace .

In large numbers, these pests can wreak havoc on gardens. Crickets are omnivores, meaning they feed on both plant and meat sources.

Though not generally predatory insects, crickets do feed on insects and even eat other dead crickets when given the chance. They also eat plant life, which can destroy garden vegetation and landscaping quite quickly if their numbers are not kept under control.

That said, it’s important to note that crickets also play an important role in our ecosystem. In fact, cricket waste is a good fertilizer for garden soil. Crickets also help keep out other garden pests by eating insects and insect eggs.

Because they are omnivores, crickets are also important natural decomposers. They even provide an important food source for many beneficial insects and wildlife like birds, bats, snakes, wasps and spiders. And while annoying, crickets do not bite or carry diseases that could be harmful to humans or pets.

Still, crickets can become problematic in large numbers, especially when they infiltrate our homes. Let’s learn more about how to identify a cricket problem and discuss different methods you can use to get rid of crickets quickly and effectively.

How To Get Rid Of Crickets – Identifying A Cricket Problem

In large numbers, crickets can cause damage to plants in our gardens 

Do you have a cricket infestation on your property? One of the telltale signs of crickets hanging around your home is their infamous chirping. These sounds are made by male crickets and often take place at dusk and throughout the evening when males rub their wings together in order to attract female crickets to mate with.

This video below shows several male crickets chirping by rubbing their wings together to attract female mates. 

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But aside from their chirping, how else can you tell if you have a cricket problem?

Crickets are nocturnal and prefer to hide out in dark spaces both outside and inside our homes, so you may not see them right away. That said, there are a few signs things you can look for to determine if you are dealing with a cricket problem in your home or garden.

Signs of crickets in the garden include:

• Hearing chirping sounds
• Seeing numerous crickets in your garden or yard
• Finding damaged plants and leaves

Signs of crickets in the home include: 

• Hearing chirping inside your home
• Seeing crickets in the home
• Small “mandible marks” that are about 1 milimetere wide on edges of fabrics or carpets
• Chewed or frayed carpets or fabrics where crickets have feasted

If you do notice you have a cricket infestation in your home or garden, it’s time to look into how to get rid of crickets quickly. While crickets are not dangerous to humans, they can multiply quickly and cause damage to fabrics, carpeting, curtains, plants, and more.

But why have crickets infiltrated your home and garden in the first place? This is an important question to ask yourself when wondering how to manage cricket problems.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why crickets are attracted to your home.

What Attracts Crickets?

Crickets are attracted to the warmth of our homes during colder months. 

Like most insects, crickets are attracted to food, shelter, and warmth. Because crickets have many natural predators, they often hide out in small dark spaces such as beneath rocks, in the cracks and crevices of our home’s foundation, and in rotting wood materials.

When the weather gets cold, crickets seek shelter indoors where they can stay safe and warm from the elements. And because crickets have such a diverse diet that allows them to feed on plant life, organic materials, and even fabrics, they can find our homes to be an ideal place to stay indefinitely.

Gardens that are rich in plant life and other insects can be highly attractive to house crickets as well. These crickets may then make their way into your home when the weather cools down. If you have easy access into your home such as unsealed entry and exit points, cracks, crevices, ripped screens, or openings along sidings, you may be unintentionally inviting crickets into your house.

Crickets also seek shelter in garden sheds, garages, cellars, and beneath porches and decks. Are you ready to learn how to get rid of crickets once and for all? Let’s take a look at some of the best treatment methods you can use to remove these pesky pests.

How To Get Rid Of Crickets – Best Treatment Methods

There are plenty of methods you can use to control a cricket problem on your property. 

Crickets are certainly annoying, but they are less harmful than many other pests. That said, no one wants a cricket infestation in their home or garden, so it’s important to understand how to get rid of crickets when they become an overwhelming problem.

The good news is that there are plenty of popular methods you can use to get rid of the crickets causing you trouble in both your home and your garden.

Some of the best treatment methods for how to get rid of crickets include:

• Natural Repellents

Many homeowners opt to use natural repellents to get rid of crickets in their homes and gardens.

Natural repellents are often free of harsh toxins or chemicals and are safe for children, pets, and the environment. Some repellents include sprays that use essential oils to repel crickets while others include ultrasonic sound repellents and organic dusts and powders to keep crickets under control.

• Traps

Cricket traps are recommended for use in homes where crickets are running rampant. Most are glue traps and work to catch and kill crickets as they are hop about exploring your home.

Glue traps are an effective method for cricket control, but they won’t stop crickets from entering your home. For this reason, we recommend using traps along with other remedies for how to get rid of crickets.

• Home remedies

Because crickets are sensitive insects and can often be controlled with the use of essential oils, sounds, and other home essentials, many homeowners opt to use what they already have in their kitchen pantry to get rid of crickets.

Are you wondering how to get rid of crickets using home remedies? We have included some of our favorite home remedies further down in this article.

• Insecticides

If you have a very large infestation of crickets either in your home or in your garden, you may need to use insecticides to remedy the problem. Insecticides are an effective form of pest control for many people. However, keep in mind that insecticides often use harsh chemicals and toxins that can be harmful to people, pets, and the environment if not used properly.

How To Get Rid Of Crickets Using Natural Repellents

Natural repellents are a safe and effective way to control crickets.

Wondering which of the above methods for how to get rid of crickets is right for you? If you’re not sure where to begin, don’t worry. We have listed some of our favorite products below. Let’s start by looking at some of the best natural repellents you can use for how to get rid of crickets.

Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller

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We love ultrasonic pest repeller products for how to get rid of crickets and other pests in the home because they work without the use of any harsh chemicals, poisons, or ingredients. Ultrasonic pest repellents use sound frequencies that are harmless to people and pets but that annoy pests like insects and rodents.

In fact, the above ultrasonic pest repeller plug in by Neatmaster doesn’t just get rid of crickets, but it also works to repel bed bugs, mosquitoes, flies, roaches, spiders, mice, rats, bats, and more.

Exterminators Choice All-N-One Bug Defense Natural Spray

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We like this bug spray by Exterminators Choice for how to get rid of crickets because it uses natural ingredients like essential oils to repel and kill all kinds of pests like spiders, roaches, earwigs and many more.

It is safe to use around children and pets and is not harmful to the environment, making it ideal to use both indoors and out. We also like that this product doesn’t leave behind any harsh odors.

Safer Diatomaceous Earth

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Diatomaceous Earth is a powerful and natural insect killer made from fossilized algae and is useful for controlling a number of pests. It works well to get rid of crickets and other pests like spiders, roaches, beetles, ants, and even bed bugs.

This powdery substance works both inside and outside and can help protect your home and your yard from annoying crickets by penetrating the exoskeleton of the insects to dehydrate and kill them.

It is safe to use around people and pets, but it works best when dry and will need to be reapplied outside after rain or snow.

Wondercide Natural Indoor Pest Control Spray

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Wondercide is an all natural spray that uses ingredients like essential oils to help repel and kill a number of pests. You can use this product for how to get rid of crickets inside your home and it is even safe enough to use in areas where children and pets play.

The order comes in a 32 ounce spray bottle and kills crickets on contact. It also helps kill and control other pests like spiders, roaches, ants, fleas and ticks. You can order the bottle in a larger amount if needed and it comes in different scents including lemongrass, cedar, rosemary and peppermint.

Wondercide Outdoor Pest Control

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In large numbers, crickets can be problematic to gardens and yards, especially those that feed on plants and flowers.

While we like Wondercide for indoor use, you can also use it for outdoor pest control for how to get rid of crickets. We love that this product uses natural ingredients like essential oils to kill and control all kinds of garden pests including crickets, beetles, earwigs, mosquitoes, ants, fleas, ticks, spiders, roaches, chinch bugs, and more.

Best of all, Wondercide is safe to use in areas where children and pets play and can be safely used on garden plants and other vegetation.

How To Get Rid Of Crickets Using Traps

Glue traps help control a large cricket infestation in the home. 

Crickets can become a real nuisance when they enter our homes and they can be difficult to catch since they are nocturnal and tend to hide in dark cracks and crevices until we go to sleep. This is why traps come in handy when it comes to how to get rid of crickets.

As we mentioned briefly above, most cricket traps use glue and other sticky materials to trap and kill crickets in the home. These traps are best used for cricket infestations inside the house or in garden sheds or garages.

While we do find cricket traps to be a useful form of cricket control, keep in mind that they will not stop crickets from entering your home and should therefore be used along with other cricket control methods.

With that in mind, let’s go over some of the most popular cricket traps you can use for how to get rid of crickets.

Catchmaster Cricket Trap

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One trap we recommend is the sticky trap by Catchmaster. This is a large cricket trap you can use to catch and control large cricket problems inside your home and out. It also works to catch spiders, beetles, ants, roaches, scorpions and other creepy crawlies.

However, because this is a sticky trap, use it carefully inside your home if you have pets around.

Harris Cricket Glue Traps

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Another glue trap we recommend for how to get rid of crickets is made by Harris. This product comes in a pack of two and works to catch not only crickets but other crawling insects including spiders, scorpions, roaches, beetles, ants and bed bugs. 

The traps are large and specifically designed to capture crickets in spaces they like to hide. The product uses non-toxic glue and is safe to use around people and pets.

Supply Guru Baited Cricket Trap

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Last on our list of how to get rid of crickets using traps is this baited trap by Supply Guru. We like this trap because it is covered from top to bottom and only allows access to smaller pests, which makes it safer to use in homes with children and pets.

While this trap does not use toxic chemicals or poisonous baits to lure crickets and other pests, it does use a strong glue that can get stuck on pets and should therefore be used with caution.

This trap is also good for catching poisonous spiders like brown recluses and black widows.

How To Get Rid Of Crickets Using Home Remedies

Peppermint and peppermint oil helps to repel crickets. 

Like many insects, crickets are repelled by a number of essential oils and ingredients you may already have in your home. This is great news for those of you looking to make your own cricket repellent sprays or use other home remedy methods for how to get rid of crickets.

Crickets Are Naturally Repelled By The Following Ingredients:

• Vinegar
• Garlic
• Dish soap
• Clove oil
• Peppermint oil
• Geranium oil
• Clove oil
• Citronella oil
• Rosemary oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Cedarwood oil
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Garlic
• Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Below are some of our favorite recipes you can make yourself to get rid of crickets.

Peppermint Oil And Dish Soap Cricket Repellent Spray

What You’ll Need:

• 3 Drops of Peppermint Oil
• ⅛ Teaspoon of Cinnamon
• ⅛ Teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
• 3 Teaspoon of Liquid Dish Soap
• 1 Spray Bottle Half-Filled With Water

Instructions:

You can use a number of different essential oils in the above recipe to deter crickets, but we recommend using peppermint oil as this is one of the most effective essential oils you can use for not only how to get rid of crickets, but also to deter spiders, wasps, bees, roaches, ants, and more.

This spray kills crickets directly while the scent of peppermint and the spice of cayenne and cinnamon will deter future crickets from entering your home.

Vinegar Cricket Deterrent Spray

What You’ll Need:

• 1 teaspoon of Vinegar
• 1 quart of water

Instructions:

Mix vinegar and water together in a spray bottle. This solution can kill crickets directly both inside your home and in your garden. It can also work to repel crickets and keep them from returning so long as it is reapplied often. However, please note that vinegar can be harmful to some plants so use this solution with caution in gardens.

If you are having trouble with crickets in your garden, you might consider planting some cricket repellent plants, including:

• Basil
• Marigolds
• Garlic
• Lemongrass
• Peppermint
• Petunias
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Eucalyptus
• Mint
• Catnip
• Chrysanthemums
• Alliums

How To Get Rid Of Crickets Using Insecticides

Insecticides are effective but can be harmful to people and pets. 

If you feel your cricket problem is too large to be handled by home remedies or natural repellents, you may need to use insecticides.

Remember, while insecticides are an effective method for how to get rid of crickets and other problematic pests, they also work by using harsh chemicals that are harmful to people, pets, and the environment if not used carefully.

That said, sometimes insecticides are necessary for pest control. If you are wondering what the best insecticides would be for how to get rid of crickets, we have listed some of our favorite tried and tested products below.

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer

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This insecticide by Ortho works well for how to get rid of crickets in the home because it is specifically designed to target insects that hide out in cracks and crevices. The aerosol comes in a 16 ounce can and includes a wand to help you reach those difficult hiding spots where crickets wait out the day.

The spray uses strong chemicals to kill a number of insects including spiders, ants, roaches, fleas, centipedes, ticks, and more. And while this insecticide is effective, it can be toxic to people and pets and should be used only as directed.

Ortho Home Defense Indoor and Perimeter Spray

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Another effective insecticide we recommend by Ortho is their indoor and perimeter spray. It kills pests like crickets, spiders, roaches, ants, fleas, and ticks but comes in a larger container and includes a wand to specifically treat the inside of your home and along the perimeter.

Perimeter treatment is important when it comes to cricket control because it stops these insects from getting back in once you have treated the problem.

That said, this spray uses toxic chemicals that can be harmful to people and pets and should be used only as directed.

How To Get Rid of Crickets – When Should You Call A Professional?

A very large cricket infestation can be a sign of other insects in the home and may require the help from a professional. 

Although crickets are annoying, they are not a danger to humans or pets. However, they can destroy our gardens in large numbers and infest our homes quite quickly if they are not kept in check.

If you have a very large infestation of crickets in your home or garden and the above methods aren’t working, it could be a sign of other issues in the home and you may need to contact a professional.

Most local pest control experts in your area should be able to help you eradicate the problem and help you figure out how to get rid of crickets once and for all.

Once you do get rid of crickets, it’s very important to implement preventative measures to keep them from returning.

Keep reading to learn more.

Tips On Preventing A Future Cricket Infestation

Try planting cricket-repelling plants in your garden to keep crickets under control. 

Prevention is a very important part of pest control. Once you know how to get rid of crickets and you have managed to properly evict them from your property, it’s wise to take quick action to keep them from returning.

Knowing what attracts crickets is important and planting cricket-repellent plants in your garden like those listed above in this article will help, but it is also important to go about your home and seal cracks and crevices to ensure crickets can’t enter your home when the weather turns cold.

Here are the best ways you can help keep crickets out of your home and garden in the future.

Practice Routine Home Maintenance

Remember, a house cricket infestation can begin with just one or two crickets entering your home from outside. The best way to keep crickets from invading your home is to make it difficult for them to enter.

Make sure you caulk and seal entry points like cracks and crevices. Fix ripped screens, secure windows and doors, and apply a pest repellent around the perimeter of your home to deter crickets and other insects.

Plant Cricket Repellent Plants In Your Garden

Because crickets are attracted to vegetation in the garden, try planting some cricket repellent plants that will deter them. Some of the best plants that work for how to get rid of crickets in the garden include basil, garlic, lemongrass, petunias, peppermint, catnip, marigolds, and more (the rest are listed above).

That said, we encourage you to do research on any insect-repellent plant you do add to your garden, as some can be toxic to people and pets.

Keep Shrubs and Other Vegetation At Least Three Feet From Your Home’s Perimeter

Crickets may enter your home if they have easy access to it. In order to reduce the chances of crickets finding their way inside, try and keep plants and other vegetation at least three feet away from the perimeter of your home. This will also help keep other pests away like spiders, ants, and earwigs.

Remove Debris In Your Yard and Lawn, Garden Shed and Garage

Since crickets spend their days hiding in dark spaces, they often congregate beneath debris. You can help make your property less hospitable to crickets by removing loose debris like rocks, dead leaves, dead trees, stumps, and other types of materials from around your home.

Declutter Inside Of Your Home

Similarly to decluttering outdoors, decluttering and tidying up inside your home will also help keep crickets away and give them less spaces to hide and feed.

Continue Using Preventative Repellents and Pest Control Remedies Year Round

Along with using the above remedies and preventatives for how to get rid of crickets, it is also a good idea to continue using repellents and other pest control remedies to keep your home pest free all year around.

Not only will this help you control any future cricket infestation in your home, it will also reduce the chances of having other pests invade your property as well.

We hope this article has been helpful and you now have a better idea of how to get rid of crickets for good. Best of luck and happy gardening!