What is a Cricket

The family scientific name for crickets is Gryllidae, derived from the Greek word gryllos, meaning "cricket". This name was first used by Aristotle, who observed that crickets produce a chirping sound by rubbing together hardened forewings. It is believed that the high population of crickets in Sydney, Australia can be attributed to the temperate climate and abundance of food sources. The hot, dry summers provide ideal warm weather conditions for insects to thrive, while sources such as grass and compost heaps offer an ample food supply. Overall, these factors have contributed to the growth of cricket populations in Sydney, making them a common sight throughout. The most common cricket species are the field crickets, mole crickets and the house cricket.

A Cricket is a small, insect-like creature ranging from 1.2cm to 5cm with six legs and a hard exoskeleton. Crickets come in a wide range of colours including green, dark brown, black, red, and yellow that live outdoors.

The body of a cricket is divided into three main segments: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head is covered in hard plates and contains the cricket's mouthparts as well as its two large compound eyes and threadlike antennae. The thorax is comprised of three pairs of hind legs for jumping and two pairs of wings, which are used for flying and sensing changes in temperature and humidity.

Description of a Cricket

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What do Crickets eat

As omnivores, crickets thrive on a wide variety of foods, including leaves, fruits, plants, and even other live insects.

They also require plenty of water to keep their bodies hydrated.

One thing that crickets do is eat each other. They have been known to cannibalize hatchlings and others if there is insufficient food and water

The Life Cycle of a Cricket

The life cycle of a cricket can be broken down into three main stages: the egg stage, the nymph stage, and the adult stage.

Cricket Eggs

Nymph Stages

Adult house crickets

In the egg stage, a cricket will lay hundreds of eggs at a time. This process typically occurs in soft, damp soil or other protected areas such as underneath rocks or inside crevices. The female cricket lay eggs individually by protruding her ovipositor and depositing an embryo into the soil. Once laid, the eggs are typically protected from predators by thicker shells that help to prevent damage and ensure optimal growth conditions.

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The nymph stage is a significant phase in the life cycle of a cricket. During this time, the young insect undergoes several moults as it grows and develops into an adult. Typically, a cricket will go through a total of five nymph stages before reaching maturity. During each moult, the cricket's exoskeleton is shed to allow for new tissue growth and increased size. The process of moulting takes anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on factors such as temperature and humidity levels.

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During this time, the adult house cricket goes through several developmental stages, including early nymph and late nymph stages, before reaching its adult form. This entire process may take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on factors like temperature and humidity levels. The ultimate goal of this transformation is the development of functional wings and reproductive organs, which allow the cricket to start breeding in its new adult form.

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Where are Crickets commonly found

Crickets are attracted to damp areas and high level moisture areas which can be found in moist places listed below:

Landscapes and gardens with high brushy areas
Subfloors
Brick weep holes
Kitchens and bathrooms
Garbage dumps
Near wood piles
Dense vegetation areas

Though crickets are known for their positive characteristics, such as their role in folklore and music, they do have some negative impacts on the environment.

The loud chirping of crickets can be quite annoying, disrupting a good night's sleep.

Many people experience a strong aversion to crickets, leading to psychological stress or discomfort.

These insects can also be harmful to crops, consuming large amounts of plant matter or damaging seedlings with their sharp mandibles.

Given these negative impacts, crickets pest control is needed before it becomes a serious problem.

Negative Impacts of Crickets

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How to prevent a House Cricket Infestation

Several measures can be taken to prevent crickets.

Properly seal any entry points into your home, such as cracks in the foundation or gaps under doors. This will help keep crickets out and limit their access to your living space.
To reduce the amount of outdoor lighting around your property, as bright lights can attract crickets in search of food.
Insert brick weep hole covers around your home. this will deter crickets from entering your wall cavities
Maintain good hygiene inside your home by regularly cleaning areas where crickets may hide, such as basements and attics.
Remove standing water such as buckets of water
Regularly cutting your lawns and cut weeds down
Regular pest control will reduce an infestation based on the repellant chemicals used.
Use deterrents such as weatherstripping, citronella candles, or ultrasonic devices to keep crickets out of your home.

By following these simple tips, you can greatly reduce the risk of an infestation and enjoy a cricket-free home year-round.

Pest Control Methods for house crickets

Insecticide Spray

when dealing with crickets is spraying them with an insecticide that contains toxic chemicals. These chemicals disrupt key bodily processes within the cricket, such as respiration, digestion and the nervous system, leading to death within a matter of minutes. Areas sprayed are on crickets, garden areas, home's exterior wall perimeter, high level moist areas, flower beds.

Insecticide Dust

Unlike other insecticides, dust works by physically disrupting the carapace of adult crickets as well as their respiratory and nervous systems. This causes them to become immobilized almost immediately, protecting buildings from damage caused by roaming hordes of crickets searching for food or water. Furthermore, insecticide dust remains suspended in the air for up to 24 hours after application. Dark Areas treated are brick weep holes, enclosed subfloors, crawl spaces, roof voids.

Sensors of a cricket

Despite their relatively small size, crickets are extremely complex creatures with distinct body parts that enable them to perform a variety of functions.

Thermoreceptors allow crickets to detect temperature changes, helping them to stay cool in hot conditions and stay warm in cold conditions.

Photoreceptors give these insects the ability to see by detecting light as well as different wavelengths and intensities of light.

Electroreceptors enable crickets to sense vibrations in the air, allowing them to pick up on even the slightest sounds.

Allow ground crickets to navigate their environment with great precision and accuracy at night.

Help these insects to communicate efficiently with others of their kind through various striking and chirping patterns.

Crickets have specialized mouthparts for feeding and grooming, as well as long thin antennae for sensing moist environments.

Crickets have compound eyes that allow them to detect light, shade, and motion.

During periods of drought or food, scarcity crickets can store excess energy in the form of fat droplets within their bodies

Why E1 Pest Solutions is your go-to provider

At E1 Pest Solutions, we are proud to offer industry-leading services when it comes to dealing with cricket infestations. Our team of highly skilled technicians has many years of experience working with all types of pests, including crickets. From identifying the source of the infestation and helping you come up with an action plan, to offering safe and effective extermination methods, we have everything you need to deal with this issue quickly and effectively. Whether you're interested in a one-time treatment or ongoing maintenance and monitoring, E1 Pest Solutions is the best choice for a cricket infestation. We are committed to providing our clients with top-quality results and total satisfaction at every stage of the process. So if you're dealing with crickets in your home or business, don't wait – contact E1 Pest Solutions today and let us help!

Areas we service

Canterbury / Bankstown