How to get rid of crickets invading your home

Crickets are found all around the world, so it's not surprising if you spot one inside your home from time to time. The problem is that crickets chirp loudly at night when we need to sleep, and they can also damage items like rugs, clothes, and books. If a cricket happens to wander into your house, you can eliminate it in various ways or use traps to catch it. Once you've dealt with the cricket, be sure to inspect your home to prevent further intrusions and avoid facing the same problem in the future.

Set up a cricket trap. You can buy a few sticky traps (the kind typically used for mice) and place them around your house in areas where you suspect crickets may be. As the crickets pass by, they will get stuck to the traps.

• Place a little cornmeal in the center of the sticky traps to lure the crickets in.

Catch crickets using a beer can. You'll need a beer can, drink or pour out the beer, leaving just a few drops inside. Place the can horizontally in areas where crickets are present. The crickets will be attracted to the beer and crawl into the can to drink the remaining drops, where they will get stuck.

Make a molasses trap. You can also catch crickets this way without needing sticky traps. Prepare a clean glass jar and fill it with a spoonful of molasses. Add a little water to dilute the molasses slightly. Place the open jar in areas where you’ve heard or seen crickets. The crickets will be drawn to the molasses and hop inside to consume it.

• The stickiness of the molasses will keep the crickets trapped inside.
• Remember to change and clean the molasses jar regularly.

Squash them. This is the quickest way to deal with crickets. If you spot a cricket invading your home and don’t want to catch it, simply grab something like a shoe or broom and crush it.

Use insect spray. There are many types of insect sprays available on the market. If you often deal with pests in your home, it’s a good idea to purchase a spray that can kill crickets (or other insects).

• Be cautious when using insect spray. After killing the cricket, wrap its body in several layers of toilet paper, flush it down the toilet, or dispose of it in a covered trash bin. Don’t forget to clean the area where you used the spray with a disinfectant and wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

Vacuum up crickets using a vacuum cleaner. If you spot a cricket in your house, you can use a vacuum cleaner to suck it up. If you're concerned there may be more crickets hiding around, you can vacuum the entire house and use the extended hose to reach under baseboards. This method may help suck up both crickets and their eggs hiding in your home.

• If you’re using a bagless vacuum, remember to empty the dust bin far from the house. If using a vacuum with a bag, replace the bag immediately after vacuuming and dispose of it in a distant trash bin.

Use a pepper spray canister. If you have a pepper spray can at home, you can use it to quickly eliminate the cricket. The pepper spray will cause the cricket to die instantly.

• Be cautious when using pepper spray. The fumes can cause discomfort if they come into contact with your face. Don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly after use.

Catch crickets using a jar. If you find just one cricket in your home, you can easily catch it with a jar. When you spot the cricket, quickly place a glass jar over it to trap it inside. Then, take a thin, sturdy piece of cardboard (like a stiff greeting card) and slide it under the jar to seal the top and carry the cricket outside.

• Take the cricket far away from your house. If you release it right outside the door, it might find its way back inside.

Adopt a cat or dog. Cats and dogs can help eliminate the insects that sneak into your home. They are better at detecting pests than humans, so if you have crickets in your house, let your pet take care of them.

• Remember, adopting a pet is a big responsibility. You should not get a cat or dog just to have them deal with crickets for you.

Make your home less attractive to crickets. If there are damp areas in your house, try to identify and fix these spots. Crickets love damp environments, so addressing the root causes of moisture in the home is essential.

• Crickets are also attracted to bright lights, so consider replacing outdoor bulbs (such as those in the hallway) with yellow or sodium vapor lights to reduce their appeal.
• Look for potential entry points, such as windows that aren't fully closed. Be sure to check the window frames for any gaps where crickets could slip through.

Hire a pest control service. If your area regularly faces pest problems, you might consider hiring a professional pest control service to visit a few times a year and spray for insects. This could be the easiest solution to keep crickets out of your home.

• Be sure to hire pest control companies that are licensed.
• If you have pets, inform the pest control service and ask if their sprays are safe for humans, children, and pets in your home.