Everything You Need To Know About Cave Crickets

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house cricket on the ground.

Cave crickets aren't harmful, but they are a nuisance to have around your home. they can chew on fiber and destroy clothing, rugs, and more. Learn more about these pests and what you can do to prevent them from taking over your home.

What Are Cave Crickets?

You might have seen pictures on the internet of giant crickets the size of baseballs infesting someone's home. Although most cave crickets aren't quite that size, they still can be quite large and a terrifying sight. The cave cricket, also referred to as spider crickets, camel crickets, or camelback crickets are scientifically known as Rhaphidophoridae.

What Do Cave Crickets Look Like?

Cave crickets look similar to a common cricket, but they are much larger with brownish-black heads and black legs. Their bodies are usually dark gray to brown, and the patterns on their back can be green, yellow, orange, or red. They also have large wings located just behind their head which they use for protection during daylight hours.

What Do Cave Crickets Eat?

The cave cricket has an enormous appetite which it uses to eat other insects, worms, and even small reptiles! This insect will burrow into the ground at night in search of food. They like damp locations such as your basement or crawlspace where they can find prey such as earthworms under the soil surface.

Do Crickets Eat Cardboard?

Yes, they will nibble on everything and anything that you put in front of them.

How Big Are Cave Crickets?

Although adult cave crickets are considerably larger than other common pests such as ants, they are still not nearly as large as other species of crickets. They grow to be about 2-3 inches in length and 0.5-1 inch wide with fully developed wings.

Why Do Cave Crickets Enter Your Home?

Cave crickets can enter your home through any crack, crevice, or opening around doors and windows. Because they are nocturnal, you may not see them until it is quite late at night when they come out of hiding to seek food. Although they will scavenge for other foods such as dog or cat food left out overnight in the kitchen, they will also eat almost everything else including cardboard boxes, plants, and even drywall!

Cave crickets thrive in dark and moist areas, which makes your basement or crawl space a preferred home. When they find a quiet area that fits this criterion, they will begin to lay their eggs. That means that if you see them occupying your basement or crawl space, they probably think it's safe enough to have their offspring. That's why it's important to deal with them quickly before they reproduce.

How Do Cave Crickets Get Upstairs?

Cave crickets can jump upstairs if they made their way into your home. They are also known to cling onto clothing so you might be unknowingly bringing these pests upstairs.

Are Camel Crickets Dangerous?

Cave crickets are not dangerous to humans, but they are definitely a nuisance and can cause serious damage to your home. They may also be hosting insects that could harm you, such as cockroaches or bed bugs.

Many people confuse them with termites because of their big size and similar appearance. While there is no danger associated with them, it's still vital to get rid of them from your home before they become a problem!

Do Cave Crickets Chirp Or Make Noise?

Cave crickets are known for making a lot of noise. They often sound like crickets, but it's not the same type of chirping at all. The biggest difference is that cave crickets are much louder and they don't stop chirping when the sun rises.

How Do I Get Rid Of Spider Crickets?

To get rid of cave crickets you have to take care of the problem at its source. You'll want to find out where they are hiding. To do this, check in tall grass and bushes around the perimeter of your home, basement, and crawl space. Camel crickets often travel under the cover of night, so be sure to inspect these areas thoroughly after dark. Also, inspect any spaces underneath woodpiles or other objects that can provide shelter for them!

Moisture

Cave crickets are looking for a dark and moist place that is safe from predators to have their offspring, so they might be drawn to your basement or crawl space due to moisture or humidity. Often times by reducing the humidity in your crawl space or basement, you'll make the area unsuitable for these pests. I would suggest a dehumidifier if moisture is an issue.

Clearing Debris

As cave crickets are looking for a safe place to live, they often will live in tall grass and debris around the perimeter of your home until they find a suitable long-term home. If you focus on cleaning up any debris and keeping your lawn tidy, it will help to limit any connection to your home.

Final Thoughts On Cave Crickets

Cave crickets are a nuisance for homeowners. They can create an unbearable noise and crawl into your living spaces, or even worse, bite you. If you have any questions about these nasty pests you should consider contacting a professional cave cricket removal company like A&C!

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