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Most people enjoy a good song. Many prefer music that makes them want to dance, others like melodies that bring peace and serenity. Some people like sitting outside at night and listening to the chaotic but calming music of nature. You know what we are talking about, the melodies of cricket chirps, frog croaks, and wind. The sounds of nature are perfect when sung together. A single cricket chirping inside your South Bend home at three in the morning, on the other hand, is nothing short of maddening. If you regularly have trouble with crickets invading your home, here is what you should do.
A Bit About Crickets
There are many species of crickets in the world. Here in South Bend, the most common species is the house cricket. These yellowish-brown, three-quarters to seven-eighths of an inch long pests, have wings, six legs, and the ability to jump far distances. As for chirping, only males are capable of producing a song. They do this to attract a mate, and it's both beautiful and concerning. Hearing this sound outside is a sign of love in the air; however, a single chirping cricket indoors only means more crickets will be looking for a way inside.
Crickets are most active at night and are most commonly found during the day hiding in dark, warm places. Outside, crickets love hanging around trash piles and garbage dumps as these areas provide them with food in the form of insects and rotting plants.
Why Crickets Invade
Crickets love it outside when the weather is warm. If you go out at night during the summer, you are likely to find these insects congregating in large numbers near light sources. It is only when temperatures drop in the winter, or when the weather outside becomes unfavorable that crickets begin to look towards homes and outbuildings for shelter. All your home needs to be a shelter for crickets is a heating system, a small amount of moisture, and a cricket-sized way inside.
Are Crickets Dangerous?
Thankfully, crickets are not dangerous pests. They do not spread any diseases, and they won't bite you as other pests might. What crickets are is destructive. Inside homes, crickets will damage carpets, clothing, and other fabric-based materials. With smaller infestations, you won't notice much damage beyond the occasional hole in a piece of fabric. On the other hand, larger infestations are capable of consuming more significant portions of carpets and fabrics, causing noticeable damage.
Eight Cricket Prevention Tips
Crickets cannot hop through solid walls; they need an entry point to get inside. To prevent these pests from getting inside your South Bend home, use these eight simple tips:
1. Use a caulking gun to fill in gaps, cracks, and holes in your home's exterior foundation.
2. Address weatherstripping that is loose or damaged.
3. Install door sweeps under all exterior doors.
4. Make sure all of your window and door screens are free of holes and rips.
5. Fix leaky pipes and fixtures around your home.
6. Clear out your gutters and make sure they are working properly.
7. Turn off exterior lights at night or invest in insect-resistant bulbs.
8. Reduce the clutter in and around your home.
For extra help preventing or eliminating crickets, turn to the professionals at Termishield. We offer long term solutions for all sorts of pests, including annoying crickets. Let us help you find the best pest solutions for your South Bend property.
Give us a call today to discuss your options and find a plan that best suits your needs.