Ask the Exterminator

Got Pests?

Ask The Exterminator provides expert advice for your pest control problems. Browse our categories of exterminator expertise and contact us with questions.


RSS Feed
Email this article
Printer friendly page


Camel Crickets


Camel crickets derive their name from the humpback appearance of their bodies. They have long antennae and long, thin legs, similar to those of a daddy longlegs spider. They are usually light tan to dark brown in color.

Camel crickets, also called cave or humpback crickets, are typically ½ inch to 1-½ inches long. The main difference in appearance between camel crickets and other types of crickets is that adult camel crickets do not have wings.

How can you tell if the crickets in or around your home are camel crickets? Well, camel crickets do not chirp. So, if you are hearing chirping

CamelCricket100.jpg
from the crickets, you most likely have been paid a visit by field crickets. You are unlikely to know you have camel crickets until you uncover one while searching the depths of a seldom-visited basement room. Camel crickets enjoy spending their time in dark, damp places and do not chirp, so they can live in a house unnoticed for long periods.
 
Camel crickets inhabit moist areas outdoors in places like stacks of firewood, stones, logs, and caves. They will also hide under places that provide good coverage such as beneath porches, inside sheds, and in patches of ivy.
 
Camel crickets cannot reproduce indoors unless they are exposed to moisture for a significant period of time. Female camel crickets lay their eggs in the soil in early spring. These eggs hatch into nymphs.
 
Camel crickets feed on leaf debris, paper products, and even fabrics like linens and furs. They will typically eat any kind of decaying organic matter. They become pests to humans in times of extreme weather conditions such as excessive rainfall or long periods of hot, dry weather. Because they love moist and humid areas, you can expect to see them any place where moisture is available.

Camel crickets will not cause much damage to your home unless they are permitted to live inside for long periods. If you do not act quickly to get rid of them, they may feed on clothing or linen stored in boxes in garages or basements. Camel crickets cannot bite or sting, but it is always best to deal with the infestation problem sooner rather than later.

Here are some tips for keeping camel crickets out of your home:

cricketdamage.jpg
Damage to fabric
Seal any gaps or cracks in windows, doors and the foundation of your home.

Tightly apply weather-stripping to the bottom of garage doors and entryways.

Keep boxes off of the ground and away from corners to make inspections easier.

Eliminate moisture inside as much as possible, especially in humid areas such as your garage, crawlspace, basement or other storage areas.

Keep mulch at least one foot away from the foundation of your home.

Avoid putting shrubs or ground cover near the foundation of your home.

Avoid storing firewood against your house or underneath decks.

Place glue boards in corners and behind appliances to trap camel crickets.

If you discover camel crickets inside your home, any of the common aerosol insecticides can be used on baseboards or behind appliances. If discovered outdoors, insecticide granular baits can be used around the perimeter of your home. Chemical sprays are useful on the foundation, vents, and door thresholds. Handling pesticides is always an issue. A licensed pest control company can provide this service and eliminate the need to store unused pesticides.

Comments

B. Ryan
23 Oct 2008, 20:24
Are there any SAFE products in the market to use to get rid of the camel crickets that would NOT be harmful to our dog......

Thanks
B.Ryan
Ask the Exterminator
23 Oct 2008, 21:53
The E.P.A. does not permit the use of the word "safe" on any products used to control pests. The closest wording to "safe" is "practically non-toxic".

Pesticides can be applied responsibly by closely following the label directions. Problems occur when consumers over-use products by thinking, "I one ounce is good, two ounces must be more effective." Using pesticides properly should pose no threat to your pet.

That said, there are non-toxic products available on the market containing clove oil or peppermint that claim to be substitutes for standard pesticides. Go for it!
kim
10 Nov 2008, 15:25
I have an excessive amount of camel crickets in my garage (usually at night). There is approximately 50 to 60 of them hopping around when we turn on the light. We noticed that when we swat flies, the crickets hop over and eat their bodies. Are these carnivorous crickets? How can I kill them without attracting fire ants.
Ask the Exterminator
10 Nov 2008, 15:28
Camel crickets (or any cricket) will eat nearly anything available, including themselves. So, they will surely eat a few dead flies.

You need to exclude the crickets by replacing the garage door threshold with a tight seal. Treating around the exterior walls of the garage with a granlated insecticide will also help.
Carl
10 Nov 2008, 15:30
I've been looking online, trying to find out what these spider-like, cricket looking, hoping bugs are that i've been finding in my home. The only thing that is simaliar is the Camel cricket. I've been looking at several pictures of them online and although none of them looks exactly like the bug i'm finding in my home, they are very similar. Looking at the stinger (about 3/8 of an inch long) I would think it was posionous. Can you tell me if they pose a threat to humans?
Ask the Exterminator
10 Nov 2008, 15:31
Camel crickets have an appendage called cercus and ovipositors for laying eggs, but no stinger. Camel crickets are not posionous.
William
10 Nov 2008, 15:33
I find camel crickets in my basement beginning with the cooler weather in the fall. They are usually gone before Christmas. Are they coming into the basement because of the change in weather? I have mulch around the perimeter of my house. Are they living in it?
Ask the Exterminator
10 Nov 2008, 18:45
Camel crickets live in warm, damp environments. Mulch fits the bill, but as the weather turns older the crickets seek shelter.

Check to make sure your doors, garage door and windows are well sealed to keep the crickets from gaining entry.
Margaret
13 Nov 2008, 00:32
I've been reading about Camel Crickets in people's basements, garages, and other outdoor/damp areas. I seem to have an infestation in my 3rd floor apartment. I have seen four in my bedroom this week and I don't know where they are coming from or where they are going once they get in. We have wall unit air conditioning, so maybe they are coming through there? Any thoughts on getting rid of them? Thanks!
Ask the Exterminator
13 Nov 2008, 08:25
Camel crickets often migrate upwards. In a natural setting such as a cave, these crickets can be found at the top of the cave walls. If they are getting inside in the basement they may have found a way upstairs via plumbing pipes, for example.

Be sure to check around the air conditioning unit. Often, window units do not have good seals and a little extra caulking may do the trick.
mike
13 Nov 2008, 20:27
do these crickets dissapear in the winter?
and does that thing that you plug into the wall help get rid of these things
Ask the Exterminator
13 Nov 2008, 22:39
Camel crickets have a life span of two to three years. Longer in captivity. When cold weather arrives they find places to protect themselves from low temperatures by getting way down between rocks. They usually live in caves, but your house will serve the purpose.

The "thing" you are speaking of is probably one of those ultra-sound devices. Save your money!
*Name:
Email:
Notify me about new comments on this page
Hide my email
*Text:
Security Image:

Visual CAPTCHA


 

Categories: