Crickets Pest Control and Treatment

Crickets Pest Control

Crickets are nocturnal insects best known for the distinctive chirping sound males produce by rubbing their wings together. While many Australians think of them as harmless outdoor creatures, crickets can become pests when they invade homes, sheds, or businesses. Indoors, they damage fabrics, carpets, clothing, and stored goods by feeding on natural fibres and crumbs. Outdoors, large cricket populations can damage lawns and gardens by feeding on seedlings and young plants.

In Australia, the most common nuisance species include the house cricket and field cricket. While they don’t carry diseases, their constant noise, unsightly presence, and ability to damage property can make them a frustrating pest if not controlled.

What Do Crickets Look Like? 

Crickets are medium-sized insects, usually 15–25 mm long, with slender bodies and large hind legs adapted for jumping. They have long antennae, often longer than their bodies, and strong jaws for chewing. Most species are brown, tan, or black, which helps them blend into their environment.

The most recognisable feature of crickets is their sound. Male crickets chirp to attract females, with each species having a slightly different call. The sound is created by rubbing their forewings together, a behaviour called “stridulation.”

Where Do Crickets Live? 

Crickets are found across Australia in gardens, lawns, fields, and urban areas. They prefer warm, moist environments and are especially active during late summer and autumn. Outdoors, they hide in cracks, under rocks, logs, or leaf litter during the day, then emerge at night to feed.

Indoors, crickets often take shelter in dark, damp places such as basements, kitchens, bathrooms, or garages. Once inside, they can damage fabrics, stored items, and even wallpaper while searching for food. Their ability to jump and squeeze through small gaps makes them difficult to keep out once they find an entry point.

Common Types of Crickets in Australia

Australia is home to many cricket species, but only a few are considered pests around homes and businesses. While some species remain outdoors and pose little issue, others are notorious for invading indoor spaces, damaging fabrics, stored goods, or simply creating constant noise at night.

Below are the most common types of crickets in Australia and why they are a problem.

House Cricket (Acheeta domesticus)

How they look
House crickets are light brown to yellowish in colour, with three dark bands across their heads. They grow around 16–22 mm long and are slender with long antennae and have powerful hind legs for jumping.

Where they live
They are common in warm, indoor environments such as kitchens, basements, and bathrooms. Outdoors, they are often found in compost heaps, woodpiles, or near rubbish bins where warmth and food are available.

Why they are a problem
House crickets are one of the most common indoor nuisance species. They chew on clothing, carpets, upholstery, and stored goods, leaving behind holes and damage. Their loud, persistent chirping at night is also a major annoyance for homeowners.

Field Cricket (Teleogryllus commodus)

How they look
Field crickets are dark brown to black in colour and usually larger than house crickets, growing up to 25 mm long. They have robust bodies, long antennae, and strong hind legs for jumping.

Where they live
They prefer outdoor habitats such as lawns, fields, and gardens. They hide in cracks, under rocks, or burrows during the day and emerge at night to feed.

Why they are a problem
While they mostly remain outdoors, field crickets can cause damage to lawns, seedlings, and crops. They may also wander indoors in search of warmth, where their chirping and feeding can become a nuisance.

Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpidae family)

How they look
Mole crickets are distinctive, with cylindrical brown bodies up to 30–50 mm long. Their front legs are broad and spade-like, perfectly adapted for digging. Unlike most crickets, they are not strong jumpers.

Where they live
They live underground, creating complex tunnel systems in soil. They are particularly common in damp lawns, gardens, golf courses, and agricultural areas.

Why they are a problem
Mole crickets cause significant damage to lawns and crops by tunnelling underground. Their burrowing disturbs root systems, leading to dead patches of grass and weakened plants. In large numbers, they can destroy turf and affect crop yields.

How to Identify Cricket Infestations 

Chirping Sounds

The most common and obvious sign of a cricket infestation is their loud, persistent chirping. Male crickets produce this sound by rubbing their wings together, usually at night when they are most active. If the noise seems constant and comes from multiple directions, it may indicate a large infestation indoors or close to your home.

Sightings Indoors

Crickets may wander inside through cracks, gaps under doors, or open windows. Spotting live crickets hopping around basements, kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms is a clear sign they’ve established themselves indoors. They are attracted to warmth, light, and moisture, which is why infestations often increase in summer and spring.

Damage to Fabrics and Furnishings

House crickets in particular feed on natural fibres such as wool, silk, and cotton. They may chew holes in clothing, carpets, upholstery, and curtains. Damaged fabrics with small irregular patches missing are a tell-tale sign of cricket activity.

Outdoor Lawn and Garden Damage

Field crickets and mole crickets can damage lawns and gardens. Field crickets feed on seedlings, vegetables, and flowers, while mole crickets cause damage underground by tunnelling, which disrupts root systems. Patches of dead or thinning grass may indicate mole cricket activity.

Droppings and Shed Skins

Crickets leave behind small black droppings near food sources or nesting areas. You may also find shed skins from their moulting process, especially in areas where they congregate indoors.

Signs of Heavy Infestation

In serious infestations, multiple crickets will be visible indoors during the day, not just at night. Chirping will be loud and constant, disturbing sleep and daily life. Fabrics and carpets may show widespread damage, and outdoor lawns may develop bare or dead patches. At this stage, professional pest control is often required to locate nesting sites and apply targeted treatments to eliminate the problem.

How to Prevent Cricket Infestations

Crickets may seem harmless at first, but when they invade in large numbers, they can damage fabrics, carpets, and gardens, as well as cause sleepless nights with their constant chirping. Preventing them from getting inside your home or multiplying in your yard is always easier than dealing with an infestation later.

Keep Your Home Sealed

Crickets enter through tiny cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and foundations. Seal any openings with caulk, install weather stripping on doors, and repair damaged screens. Adding door sweeps on exterior doors also helps block their entry.

Reduce Outdoor Lighting

Crickets are highly attracted to bright lights at night. To minimise the risk of them gathering near your home, replace outdoor white lights with yellow “bug lights” or motion-sensor lighting. Keep curtains or blinds closed in the evening to reduce indoor light spill that draws them in.

Maintain a Clean Yard

Overgrown grass, piles of leaves, mulch, and garden debris provide perfect hiding and breeding spots for crickets. Keep your lawn trimmed, rake up dead leaves, and clear away clutter from gardens and around your home’s foundation. Store firewood and compost piles away from the house.

Control Moisture

Crickets thrive in damp environments. Check for leaky outdoor taps, clogged gutters, or poorly drained soil near your foundation. Indoors, use dehumidifiers in basements and ensure bathrooms and laundries are well-ventilated to make your home less appealing.

Protect Fabrics and Carpets

House crickets feed on natural fibres like wool, silk, and cotton. Store clothing in sealed containers or garment bags, and vacuum carpets and rugs regularly. Avoid leaving piles of laundry or fabric lying around, as these can become targets.

Act Quickly if You Spot Them

A few crickets outside may not seem like a problem, but they can multiply fast. If you notice them gathering around your home or hear persistent chirping at night, take steps immediately to reduce attractants and block entry points before they become a bigger issue.

How to Get Rid of Cricket Infestations

Crickets are more than just a noisy nuisance. Indoors, they can damage fabrics, carpets, and paper products, while outdoors, large populations can strip gardens and lawns. Because they are nocturnal and hide in cracks, basements, and crawl spaces, infestations can quickly get out of hand if not treated promptly.

At-Home Actions to Get Rid Of Crickets

Remove Attractants
Crickets are drawn to food crumbs, pet food, and organic debris. Keep floors vacuumed, wipe down surfaces regularly, and avoid leaving pet food bowls out overnight. Outdoors, rake up leaves, mow lawns, and clear mulch or clutter close to your home.

Reduce Indoor Humidity
Crickets thrive in damp areas. Use dehumidifiers in basements, fix leaky pipes, and ensure bathrooms and laundries are well ventilated. Reducing moisture makes your home less inviting to these pests.

Adjust Outdoor Lighting
Since crickets are attracted to bright lights at night, switch to yellow “bug lights” or motion-sensor lighting outside. Close curtains at night to minimise indoor light that draws them closer to entry points.

Seal Entry Points
Check windows, doors, and foundations for gaps or cracks. Apply caulk, replace worn weather stripping, and repair damaged screens to block access. Installing door sweeps on exterior doors is an effective extra barrier.

Use Traps and Sticky Boards
Glue traps and sticky boards placed along baseboards, in basements, or near suspected entry points can help reduce cricket numbers indoors. These traps are especially effective at catching wandering crickets at night.

Insecticide Sprays (as a last resort)
For severe indoor infestations, household insecticide sprays can be used in areas where crickets hide, such as basements, garages, or crawl spaces. Always follow product directions and keep pets and children away until the treated area is safe.

Professional Cricket Treatments

If crickets keep returning despite your efforts, professional treatment may be necessary. Licensed pest controllers use targeted methods to eliminate infestations and prevent re-entry.

Barrier Sprays and Treatments
Technicians apply residual insecticides around the perimeter of your property and in common entry points. This creates a protective barrier that prevents crickets from entering your home.

Indoor Treatments
In cases of heavy infestation, pest professionals may use safe, targeted treatments in basements, crawl spaces, and other hiding areas. These are more effective than over-the-counter sprays and work for longer periods.

Exclusion and Prevention Advice
Pest experts will inspect your property for cracks, moisture issues, and lighting conditions that attract crickets. They can then provide tailored advice and recommend long-term prevention measures.

Call a Pest Control Professional

While a few crickets may be manageable with home remedies, large infestations are difficult to control without expert help. A licensed pest control company can confirm the extent of the infestation, apply safe and effective treatments, and provide long-term solutions to keep your home cricket-free.

Need help now? Book a professional cricket inspection on 1300 766 614. Our team will assess your property, explain treatment options, and create a customised plan to eliminate crickets and stop them from coming back.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What do crickets eat?

Crickets are omnivores with a wide diet. Outdoors, they feed on plants, seeds, fungi, and decaying organic matter. Indoors, they may chew on fabrics, carpets, paper, and even stored food products. This is why large infestations can cause damage both inside and outside the home.

How long do crickets live?

The average cricket lifespan is about 8 to 10 weeks, though this can vary depending on the species and environmental conditions. In that time, females can lay hundreds of eggs, allowing populations to grow quickly if not controlled.

Can crickets fly?

Most common crickets have wings and can fly short distances, but they generally prefer to hop or crawl. Some species, like house crickets, are stronger fliers, but they usually rely on jumping and their rapid movements to escape predators.

Are mole crickets dangerous?

Mole crickets are not harmful to humans, as they don’t bite or sting. However, they are destructive garden pests. By tunnelling through soil and feeding on roots, they can severely damage lawns, turf, and crops, leaving brown, patchy areas in their wake.

Why are crickets so loud?

The loud chirping sound is produced by male crickets rubbing their wings together, a process called stridulation. They do this to attract females and to warn off rival males. Chirping is most common at night when crickets are most active, and it can become a major nuisance during heavy infestations.