Do you have an alarm that wakes you up in the morning? What does it sound like? Is it loud and abrasive or soft and gentle? Most people choose their alarm based on how heavily they sleep. Our question for you is, would you ever use the sound of a chirping cricket for your alarm? Most people would say no. However, you might not have a choice in the matter. If one or more of these pests invade your Aiken home, they will wake you up with their nightly songs. To help you better understand the crickets in our area and the problems they bring into homes, consider these things.
Why Do Crickets Chirp?
Sitting on the front porch late at night and listening to crickets chirp is one of the most peaceful things to do. Having a single cricket chirping inside your home at 3 a.m. is a less pleasant experience. The question is, why do crickets chirp? (Fun fact: only male crickets have the organs needed to produce a “chirping” sound. They use this sound to attract a mate. This means, if you hear a single cricket making noise in your home, you can know that it is, in fact, a "single" cricket.) All of this said, one of the biggest problems these pests cause inside area homes comes with their annoying songs. If you prefer sleeping through the night without being awakened by loud chirping, crickets are the last creatures you want to share your home with.
Are Crickets Dangerous?
There is no denying that crickets are annoying, but are they dangerous? To start, these pests can bite. Thankfully their mouthparts are not strong enough to puncture human skin. The real threat crickets pose comes with diseases they can carry and transmit. The most common disease these pests spread is salmonella which they pick up from chicken, beef, pork, eggs, vegetables, fruits, sprouts, and some processed foods such as pot pies, chicken nuggets, and nut butter. In addition to this, crickets can also carry and spread parasites.
Do Crickets Damage Furniture?
In addition to spreading sickness and being annoying, crickets can damage furniture and fabrics with their destructive eating habits. For whatever reason, they love consuming the fibrous keratin that is found in materials like leather and fabric. In larger numbers, the damage these pests cause becomes more severe.
Some Strategies To Prevent Crickets
Keeping crickets from invading your Aiken home can be an arduous task. To make your journey to a cricket-free home less difficult, here are some tips and tricks our experts recommend you try.
- Vacuum your carpets regularly.
- Clean up food messes and drink spills as they occur.
- Wipe up access moisture around your home.
- Use a dehumidifier around particularly humid areas of your home.
- Keep your grass cut short and your landscaping well-maintained.
- Change your outdoor lights to insect-resistant bulbs.
- Seal gaps, cracks, and holes in your home’s exterior using a caulking gun or some liquid cement.
- Address problems with window/door screens.
- Fix damaged weatherstripping and door sweeps.
To take your cricket prevention to the next level and save yourself a ton of work, let the experts at Aiken Pest lend a helping hand. Our team of dedicated technicians knows how to identify, treat, and prevent pests like crickets. We would be happy to get you and your property the services you deserve.