Within Eastern Oklahoma, there are believed to be five different species of field crickets. Of those five species, two are found within the western regions of the state. The most devastating outbreak of crickets in Oklahoma occurred within 1953. Reports from the time stated that during the warm nights, the streets and walls would appear black. It was also reported that road conditions became hazardous due to the slick conditions caused when crickets became crushed on the roads.
Crickets, though most often only accidental home intruders, can damage fabrics and may feast on wood, plastic and leather goods. More often than not, the most common complaint with large amounts of field crickets is the persistent chirping they engage in. Though these pests can appear in large numbers, there are several steps homeowners and business owners can take to ensure their property isn’t so appealing.
Crickets are primarily nocturnal. In many cases, they can be found in the daytime hours hiding in dark, moist areas. Cleaning piles of organic debris and dense vegetation can help eliminate the spots they frequent before the sun goes down. Like many other common pests, crickets are attracted to outdoor lights during night periods. Eliminating light sources that may otherwise draw crickets in will greatly reduce the number of crickets present at any given time.
If a home is prone to field cricket infestation, ready-mixed sprays or aerosols can work wonders in controlling population bursts. Indoors, these mixtures can be applied to areas that crickets may hide, including baseboards or other cracks and crevices. In most instances, homeowners will also spray outside areas that may lend access to the home or any typical nesting spots that haven’t been eliminated. Outside treatments can prove to be very beneficial at removing the threat of cricket infestation before it becomes too late.
If you are dealing with a cricket problem at your home or business, give us a call to start a no-obligation cricket evaluation. The talented technicians at Arrow Exterminators can identify any type of pest and the best course of treatment to get rid of it. We’ll create a custom pest control plan to make sure we eliminate every last one from your home and keep them away for good!