Chirping Getting Out Of Control? Simple Ways To Get Rid Of Crickets
If you've got crickets in your home, the first thing you should know is that they're not going to harm you. In fact, crickets really prefer to be outside on their own. When they do get into your home, it's usually because they accidentally hopped through your door or open window, or they're trying to get warm. Unfortunately, once they're in your home, they'll start chirping, which can get annoying after several hours. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to keep crickets out, and get rid of them if they do end up in your home. Here are four pest control strategies you can use to get rid of crickets.
Seal Your Home
Crickets usually find their way into your home through open doors and windows – those you leave open, and those that have small cracks. To keep crickets out, the first thing you need to do is seal your home. Add a fresh layer of caulking around your doors and windows. It's also a good idea to install fresh weatherstripping about once a year. If you have tears in your screens, you should repair those as well. These minor changes will help keep crickets out.
Reduce Night-Time Lighting
You might not know this, but crickets are attracted to bright lights, including the kind that are used as security lighting around homes. If you've got bright security lights around your home, you could be inviting crickets in to stay. To keep crickets away, switch your bright mercury vapor lighting for low-light, sodium-vapor lighting. The sodium-vapor lighting will help keep crickets, and other pests, away from your doors at night. It's also a good idea to aim your security lighting towards a wall, instead of directly towards your doors.
Bring Home a Cat
If you've got a problem with crickets, and other pests, it's time to bring home a cat. Cats are naturally curious, and enjoy prowling for pests that might get into your home, including the occasional cricket or mouse. However, it's important to note that cats are notorious for bringing treats to their owners. So, if you don't want to find a dead mouse at your feet, you might want to forego the feline pest control agent.
Hire an Exterminator
An occasional cricket can usually be taken care of with the methods described above. However, if you've got an infestation of crickets living in your home, it's time to hire an exterminator. You might have a colony of crickets living and breeding in your walls or crawlspace.