WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CRICKET CONTROL IN AIKEN

Crickets are insects that exist nearly all over the globe and are highly adaptive. You might recognize them from the loud chirping noises the males make, usually at night, to attract females. Centuries ago, this sound was considered pleasant, and it was not uncommon for people to keep crickets as pets in some parts of the world. Interestingly, crickets are fascinating insects that might be one of the solutions to world hunger, as they have more protein than most of the animals we eat, including beef, and many countries use them as a source of food. But nowadays, we see them more as a nuisance pest, and few of us would be thrilled to find them indoors. And while they can be beneficial outdoors, where they break down plant matter, making the soil more nutritious and plants healthier, crickets can also cause various problems as they chew through tender spring shoots, clothes, wallpaper, and more. Crickets are not aggressive, but they can bite and could transmit dangerous diseases, including salmonella, are noisy, and do not belong indoors. They tend to sleep during the day, waking up at night to sing and cause other issues while you are trying to get some rest. If you think they may have found a way into your home, it is time to learn the characteristics of common crickets, understand the problems they can cause in your home, and discover four easy and practical cricket prevention tips. If you are struggling with a cricket infestation, Aiken Pest Control provides pest control in Aiken you can rely on to return to a quiet home again and for good.

Characteristics Of Common Crickets

Are you dealing with crickets or another insect? Some bugs that look like crickets include grasshoppers, cockroaches, and katydids. Generally, crickets will have the following characteristics:

• Crickets have cylindrical bodies: Their back legs are powerful, allowing them to jump long distances that equal more than 50 times the length of their bodies. They are rarely longer than one inch. Most of them are black or brown, although some can be green, allowing them to blend in effectively. They do not have lungs but can breathe thanks to holes in the abdomen.
• Crickets have a round head and long antennae: While their eyes can look rather prominent, they don't see very well. However, they have a developed sense of sound and touch, which they use to communicate. By contrast, grasshoppers, which are related to crickets, have short antennae. They have chewing mouthparts that can cause significant damage to your home. 
• Crickets have wings: Their wings are generally quite tough and protective, but for many species, they are non-functioning. While few crickets can fly, and even then only for short distances, their ability to jump relatively high makes up for it.
• Crickets are highly adaptive: Crickets can live on tropical islands, in caves and underground, in swamps and deserts, and even in rotting woods, depending on the species. They exist all over the United States.

If you have seen insects with these characteristics, you might have crickets in your Aiken home and need to learn about the problems they can create when trapped indoors. A pest control professional can help you identify the invaders and help you get rid of them safely and for good.

The Problems Crickets Can Create In Your House

Homeowners rarely consider crickets dangerous, but they are not as inoffensive as you think. A cricket infestation can cause many problems, including the following:

• Crickets can cause property damage: Crickets can chew on furniture, wallpaper, and more. In the long run, the cost of fixing problems caused by these bugs will be higher than that of pest control treatments.
• Crickets can chew on your plants: Crickets enjoy a variety of plant-based foods like young shoots in the spring and houseplants, fruits like apples and bananas, and vegetables. They also feast on house plants like spider plants and ferns.
• Crickets can invade your food supply: Crickets will do more than eat your plants and wallpaper; they can also get into your pantry and contaminate your food with cricket droppings. Much like ants, they go for high-carbohydrate foods like cakes and sugar.
• Crickets can damage clothes: If you notice holes in your clothes, they might not necessarily be due to moths but could be linked to a cricket infestation. A pest control expert can recommend various ways to protect articles of clothing, like insecticides and repellents.
• Crickets can transmit dangerous diseases: Crickets can spread E. coli and salmonella as well as parasites. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. If you have a pest infestation in your home and start to feel sick, seek medical help as soon as possible.
• Crickets can attract other pests: Crickets serve as a food source for many other invaders. If you have crickets in your home, you are at a higher risk of a rodent infestation.

Crickets are potentially dangerous invaders that should not be in your home. Whether treating a cricket problem or needing to keep your house free of these noisy pests, you must use various easy and effective prevention tips to keep them at bay year-round. 

Four Easy And Effective Cricket Prevention Tips

Getting rid of crickets is one thing, but you also want to keep them away for good. Unfortunately, if you have had crickets in your home before, they likely came in for specific reasons. The following four easy and effective cricket prevention tips will help you get rid of crickets and ensure they do not return:

1. Keep your home free of clutter: It is a lot more difficult for crickets to hide in homes when they are free of clutter and regularly cleaned and vacuumed. It will also be easier for you to find them should they start to invade. This is also valid for yards, where leaf and wood piles and overgrown lawns can quickly attract crickets.
2. Seal all cracks in the structure of your home: Crickets can hide effectively in cracks and damaged walls, which they can also use as entry points. Sealing them can keep various other pests, including rodents and dangerous invaders, out as well.
3. Consider sodium bulbs and yellow lighting: While you might prefer bright lights, sodium bulbs and yellow lighting can deter crickets. A pest control professional can recommend lighting options that fit your needs.
4. Keep your home dehumidified: Many pests are attracted to humid environments, and crickets are no different. Dehumidifiers can help keep humidity levels down as long as they are strong enough to handle the entire house. It can be helpful to run fans after baths and showers. Pay special attention to bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas with abundant moisture. Our pest control company specializes in professional moisture control, including crawlspace encapsulation.

A reputable pest control company can answer all your questions related to cricket treatments, including baits and traps. The best option is to reach out to the experts to get rid of an infestation as quickly as possible.

Contact The Pest Experts For Total Cricket Control

The best option for effective cricket control year-round is to work with pest experts. At Aiken Pest Control, we provide residential and commercial pest solutions for over 30 types of pests local to the area, including crickets. We know how to identify and treat them to eliminate them swiftly while keeping your household safe. Crickets may seem charming while you are on vacation or happen to hear them outside during a warm summer night. It is a different story to have one in your home, chirping in the middle of the night while you are trying to sleep. Besides, they can transmit dangerous diseases and can bite as well. And who wants pests to chew through their furniture and clothes? In South Carolina, you will likely encounter house crickets, field crickets, and camel crickets. Our licensed technicians are trained to deal with all of them. Contact us today for a free quote and to schedule a home inspection with one of our service team members, and we will find the best solutions to get rid of your cricket problem for good. With over a thousand five-star reviews online and even more satisfied customers, we are committed to complete customer satisfaction. Give us a call, and your infestation will soon be behind you.

When you want to get rid of crickets in your house, attempting to catch them or trying homemade treatments first can only cause sleepless nights. Instead, let us help. With years of experience dealing with pests local to Aiken and South Carolina in general, we have the expertise needed to get crickets out of your home safely. Crickets are not only noisy, but they can also make your household sick by contaminating your food and surfaces with dangerous pathogens. They will even chew through paint, wallpaper, clothes, and houseplants. But because they are nocturnal and shy away from light, they can be tough to spot, and you might end up spending entire evenings looking for the source of the irritating chirping noises. After years of experience in the industry, we have a good chance of spotting them during the initial home visit. Give us a call, and let's make your home safe and quiet for good.