House Cricket

Introduction

The common name comes from the fact that these crickets often enter houses where they can survive indefinitely. Having been introduced from Europe, this species is found throughout the United States but is a pest primarily east of the Rocky Mountains.

Recognition

Adults are about 3/4-7/8 inch long. Color light yellowish brown with three dark crossbands on head. Antennae threadlike, longer than body. Wings lay flat on the back. Cerci long, feelerlike. Hind leg tibial spines short, stout, non-movable. Tarsi three-segmented. Adult female with a long tubelike ovipositor located at tip of abdomen and between cerci.

Nymphs look like adults accept smaller, and lack wings and an ovipositor (females).

Habits

During warm weather, house crickets typically live outdoors and especially in garbage dumps. With the approach of cold weather, they seek sheltered places such as sheds and houses.

These crickets are nocturnal or active at night and usually hide in dark warm places during the day. Their presence is indicated by the male's chirping which is done by rubbing their front wings together. His "calling song" serves to attract females.

Outside, they often are attracted to electrical lights in large numbers, sometimes by the thousands, and rest on vertical surfaces such as light poles and house walls. Outside, they feed on plants and dead or live insects, including other crickets.

They often enter homes seeking moisture. When these crickets enter homes, many kinds of clothing and even carpets can be damaged. Favorite fabrics include wool, cotton, silk, and synthetics. Clothes soiled with perspiration are especially attractive to crickets. They eat out large areas of fabrics, as opposed to the small holes typical of clothes moths.