Q&A for How to Kill a Cricket that's Loose in Your House

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Why do I have crickets in my house?

Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist
Dr. Samuel Ramsey is an Entomologist and a researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Ramsey has extensive knowledge of symbiosis and specializes in insect disease spread, parasite behavior, mutualism development, biological control, invasive species ecology, pollinator health, and insect pest control. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Entomology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland. Dr. Ramsey’s research on bees has enabled researchers to develop targeted control techniques to restore honey bee populations worldwide. He also hosts a YouTube series called “Dr. Buggs.”

Samuel Ramsey, PhD

Entomologist

Expert Answer

Crickets can enter your home through cracks or gaps around the house. If there is a lot of clutter inside, they can find a place to hide. If there are cardboard boxes, they can chew on them. Paper fibers are a source of sugar and food for them. When the boxes become damp micro fungi grow on them. Crickets are attracted to them and consume them. If your house has this sort of environment, crickets may find it a suitable place to live.

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Question

How can I get rid of crickets?

Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist
Dr. Samuel Ramsey is an Entomologist and a researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Ramsey has extensive knowledge of symbiosis and specializes in insect disease spread, parasite behavior, mutualism development, biological control, invasive species ecology, pollinator health, and insect pest control. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Entomology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland. Dr. Ramsey’s research on bees has enabled researchers to develop targeted control techniques to restore honey bee populations worldwide. He also hosts a YouTube series called “Dr. Buggs.”

Samuel Ramsey, PhD

Entomologist

Expert Answer

You can seal the cracks through which the crickets enter the house. If there are crickets in the house, you can use sticky traps to capture them. You can also use some insecticides. But those insecticides may kill some beneficial insects also. So it is better to keep the house clean and run a dehumidifier to dry out the air. It will create an environment that is not suitable for them.

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Question

Can we change the beer can to something else like a Coke can?

Community Answer

Yes, the cricket should be attracted to the sugar in a soda can as well.

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Question

How can I tell if a cricket is in my home or outside?

Community Answer

Try going outside to see if the chirping is louder. If the chirping sounds louder when you're indoors, the cricket is probably in your house.

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Question

Can I mix sugar instead of using beer to kill a cricket?

Community Answer

Yes; a soda can works, too. They like sugar and will search it out.

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Question

Do crickets move around inside?

Community Answer

Yes, it will move around throughout the day and night. You can usually pinpoint its location using the sound of its chirps.

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Question

Is there a possibility that it would also attract ants?

Community Answer

If you use the beer can method or the molasses method, there is a possibility that you could attract ants.

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Question

How do I catch crickets when they know where the traps are?

Community Answer

They aren't that smart. Amazon has a 36 pack of sticky traps for $14, and that is enough to cover 1,500 sq. ft.

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Question

Are glass bottles usable in place of a metal can?

Community Answer

They would have too easy a time getting out of the bottle. If it’s all you have, then try making a funnel with paper and tape, with the smaller opening being about 1/2” diameter, and taping it with the smaller end into the bottle.

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What can you do if you're hearing them (crickets) in the walls all over the house?

Community Answer

If you can't see them much less catch them, it is probably best to call pest control.

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Question

Can I use corn syrup instead of molasses?

Community Answer

Yes, corn syrup will be sticky enough––maybe add some sugar though. Crickets are attracted to sugar.

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Question

Do crickets like everything that's sweet?

Community Answer

Yes, because anything sweet has sugar and crickets are attracted to sugar. Make sure to keep the sugar contained in a trap, you want to catch them, not attract them.

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