House Crickets
Key Features
Crickets (Acheta domestica) are largish insects, between 12 and 20mm in length. They have well developed hind legs which
enable them to jump surprising distances to evade predators. They are usually nocturnal, only emerging from their harbourages
after dark, but it is the loud chirruping made by males trying to attract a mate that is typical of this pest.
Biology
The females lay several hundred eggs, which hatch after 2 or 3 weeks, into nymphs. Nymphs are juvenile crickets, which grow
through 7 to 9 moults to achieve adulthood in 4 - 5 months.
Adults do not fly (in the UK) but walk or hop. Males chirrup by rubbing their wings together.
Distribution
Originate in hot deserts, but in the UK are usually found in heating ducts, and typically in the kitchens of prisons & hospitals. In the
summer, crickets may be found scavenging in compost, rubbish tips etc and may migrate indoors with the onset of winter.
Significance
Nuisance caused by loud, irritating chirruping. May damage fabrics, may damage or contaminate foodstuffs.
Control
Control is often difficult to attain. A planned survey using insect monitors and night inspection will reveal areas of infestation.
These should then be treated with heat stable insecticides using a full crack & crevice method. The high temperatures will reduce
even the effectiveness of these insecticides, so frequent treatments will be required to attain riddance.
