Crickets
Camel Crickets

Summary: Camel crickets do not chirp so you do not know they are present. They like to linger in dark, damp places. If they are in your home, your clothes and carpets may be at risk.

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 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:

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.