How to identify and get rid of fall field crickets

The soothing sounds of a chirping cricket can mean many things to different people. For some, it’s the sound of a warm summer’s night, sitting on the front porch. For others, it’s a nightmare, knowing there’s a cricket somewhere in your house that doesn’t know you’ve got work in the morning!

Field crickets are common across the United States, particularly in warm, moist areas. They’re often found in gardens, under rocks, and around mulch, but they can also make their way inside through cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior.

The fall field cricket males chirp from cracks or holes in the ground, calling out to any nearby females at night. Females lay their eggs in the soil, and young crickets (nymphs) will hatch and begin feeding on seeds, plants, or even small insects.

Field crickets are usually easy to identify due to their dark brown or black bodies, long antennae, and large hind legs designed for jumping. You might hear them before you see them, as male field crickets are known for their loud chirping, especially in the evening and at night. If you notice an increase in chirping sounds around your home, particularly in the warmer months, and spot dark-colored crickets jumping around your yard or even indoors, you might have an infestation on your hands. However, it’s usually not that big of a deal to see them in your yard, but finding them inside your house is another issue.

How big are fall field crickets?

Field crickets can grow up to 1 inch long, though some may be slightly smaller.

They are found throughout the United States, especially in warm, moist environments, including the southeastern states and along the coasts. You’re likely to find field crickets in gardens, lawns, under rocks, and in mulch. Indoors, they may enter through cracks and crevices, seeking warmth and food.

Fall field crickets can sometimes wander inside our homes, and the incessant chirping can be quite annoying. If you hone in on where the noise is coming from, you can probably either capture or vacuum up the offending cricket. However, you want to make sure they stay out of your home, or even your yard.

Here are a few tips to make that happen:

• Sealing entry points: Inspect your home for cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and the foundation, and seal them to prevent crickets from entering.
• Reducing outdoor lighting: Crickets are attracted to light, so turning off outdoor lights at night or switching to yellow "bug" lights can reduce their attraction to your home.
• Removing debris: Clear away leaf litter, mulch, and other debris around your home where crickets might hide.
• Insect barrier spray: Apply a spray around your home to keep crickets away. Consider Pestie’s pro-grade DIY solution for an easier way to keep your home pest-free all year long.