If you’re dealing with an infestation of spider crickets, understanding how to get rid of spider crickets using repellents and other traps can come in handy.
Although they are not technically spiders, they are still creeping creatures, and their spider-like features only make it worse, particularly since they like basements.
Homeowners looking for solutions to their bug problems often wonder if they can take care of the issue themselves before calling in an exterminator.
This guide outlines how to get rid of spider crickets and explains when to contact a professional to do the job.
Pest Control for Spider Crickets: How To Get Rid of Spider Crickets
Are you scared to have these jumping creatures all over your home and want to put an end to it? Then, you will love to know that there are so many options when it comes to how to get rid of spider crickets.
Below are the common ways on how to get rid of spider crickets:
Spider Cricket Traps
One of the most convenient DIY methods in matters of pest control is the use of traps. Bait and glue traps work perfectly for various bugs and rodents and will definitely work with spider crickets.
All you have to do is head to the nearest store to buy a trap, and you can even add bait to make it more effective. Cat food and some bread are usually the top options, and you will be surprised by how fast you start catching them.
Cricket Repellent
If you are looking for the most natural way to get rid of these bugs, then you will appreciate that you can make your repellents using common kitchen items.5
Just get some water and mix it with crushed garlic plant, chili pepper, neem oil, or cedar oil, and by spraying where crickets are likely to enter, you will successfully drive and keep them out of your home.3
Are you wondering, Does vinegar kill camel crickets? If so, you should know that crickets hate the smell, making it a perfect repellent.
Soap Water
It is probably the cheapest method on this entire list. Just fill up a bowl with soap and water; since the crickets are naturally drawn to moisture, they will jump in and drown.
It is all thanks to how the soap messes up with the waxy exoskeleton of the cricket, speeding up the process.
Boric acid
This acid is known to be the solution to so many bug problems, and it helps that it works on virtually all types of crickets. Of course, the spider cricket included.
The minute the bugs consume it, they start dehydrating and die in just a few days.
Diatomaceous Earth
Looking for a non-toxic yet very effective solution? Then DE will be perfect for you.
This component is highly recommended, not just for spider crickets but also for roaches and other bugs. It kills the cricket in no time by dehydrating it, and you can find it in any garden supply store.
Spider Cricket Spray (Insecticide)
There are so many commercial pesticides sold in stores near you, and you can find one to help deal with your problem. But while at it, make sure that the chemical is appropriate and carefully follow the instructions on the bottle while using it.
(Image: Teona Swift9)
The best places to spray include sheds, windows, doorways, and any other place where you suspect an infestation.
Vacuuming
Did you know that you can vacuum up spiders that are logged in places that are hard to reach?
Thanks to the long and thin heads of the equipment, you can reach so many inaccessible spots, and it is great that you can also use it for other pests like roaches and flies.
How To Prevent Spider Crickets
Prevention measures are important to avoid dealing with spider crickets in the first place and also help keep them off once the treatment methods are successful. Since you don’t want them to return to your home, here are some handy tips.
- The first thing to do is to get rid of any dampness in your house.1 This means fixing all the leaking pipes and taps and draining out any standing water.
- It’s not just the camel crickets; many other pests love filthy and cluttered conditions and will gladly hide in unkempt rooms.6 So, if you want to keep them away, you will have to be intentional with cleaning up and decluttering all the rooms in and around your home.
- You don’t want to keep the crickets comfortable in a damp and humid place, so you may want to consider investing in a humidifier. This gadget will successfully dry space out, forcing the crickets out.
- Blocking all the possible entry points in your house will also go a long way toward keeping the bugs out. Check for any cracks or passages in windows, under doors, and in walls, and seal them.
- You also want to make sure that you regularly trim down the vegetation growing around your house.
How To Get Rid of Spider Crickets: Professional Cave Cricket Extermination Vs. DIY
The second you spot a cave cricket in your home, your first instinct may be how to get rid of it on your own. It is a good thing that it is not a dangerous creature, so you don’t have to worry about anything.
There are also so many DIY solutions to kill and eliminate pests from your home, so you can easily find the one that suits you best. It is also great that it is cheaper because you will slash the labor cost.
However, DIY works most effectively for minor infestations when it comes to pest control. But if you are dealing with an entire population of crickets, it will be tricky and even risky to get rid of them on your own.
You may also be in a hurry to have them removed, and only an exterminator will be able to help in such instances. What about the exterminator prices?
You may ask. Even though hiring a professional costs you, you will eventually realize that it is all worth it.
You would rather pay a little more, as long as you are guaranteed that all the pests will be removed. Besides, so many companies offer affordable rates for homeowners, and you can always find one that suits your needs.
Spider Cricket, Cave Cricket, Camel Cricket, Spricket
(Rhaphidophoridae)
- Description: Members of the cricket family that look like spiders with their long legs and are brown in color, measuring ½– 1 ½ inches in length
- Natural Habitat: Forest ecosystems in caves, under stones, in rotting logs, and under leaf piles, native to parts of Asia
- Locations: Places that are dark and damp, like garages, basements, and sheds in homes
Image Credit: Alejandro Santillana (Insects Unlocked)12
What Are Sprickets, Cave Cricket, Camel Cricket?
Have you ever seen crickets that look like spiders? You can easily mistake the spider cricket for one, thanks to its really elongated legs that are way larger than their bodies.
But these creatures are not at all spiders, and in fact, they are not as noisy as true crickets. They are normally brown in color, although you may bump into a black spider cricket with a darker shade.
(Image: USGS10)
These species come from Asia—China, to be specific—but found their way to the US through travelers.2 They love dark, moist, and humid places and will definitely be attracted to a part of your house if the conditions are just right.
Even though they are usually silent, it is their defense mechanism that will startle you the most. They make use of their long and strong legs to hop whenever they feel that they are in danger.
Where To Find a Spider Cricket?
It will save you a lot of time and effort if you know exactly where the spider crickets are before you start treatment. You already know that they love damp and dark places, so they are most likely going to be housed in a dark room somewhere that has a lot of moisture, maybe a garage or basement.
Spider crickets could also be outside, in soil beds, leaf litter, under pots for container gardening, or in mulch.7 So, what are the signs to look out for?
If you are not able to spot them, you could watch out for their droppings, or since they like to chew, check for damaged clothes and curtains.
Why Learn How To Get Rid of Spider Crickets, Dangers of Spider Crickets?
You don’t want to share your home with the spider crickets, and there are a couple of reasons why. Your very first question may be, Do spider crickets bite?
Yes and no. This is a little complicated because these bugs have mandibles, which are the chewing parts, not fangs that could bite hard on human flesh.
On the other hand, many people claim to have been bitten by them when they hop onto the body and gnaw on the skin. They say it was a painful sting but, luckily, not lethal like that of venomous spiders.
This leads to another concern: are spider crickets dangerous? Not really.
They are not venomous, and the probability of them biting you is too low, so you are safe. Only then do they pose a danger to your property when they start chewing into things like clothes and fabrics.
You have to learn how to get rid of spider crickets before they grow in population because you will have to deal with their droppings all over your home, and the numerous eggs they lay don’t help.
When To Call Exterminator for Spider Crickets
Pest control for crickets is no child’s play when you are handling a full-blown infestation. If the population of camel spiders has gotten out of hand and there are so many of them, DIY methods just won’t do.4
Exterminators will come in with their gear and equipment and get it all done for you at a little extra cost. Apart from that, if you have never dealt with pests in your home before and have no idea where to start or even what is safe or not, you would rather hand it over to the pros.
(Image: Matilda Wormwood11)
Some of the extermination methods also involve using harmful chemicals, and you can outsource if you want to avoid the risks.8 Besides, it also saves you time and effort while still getting the job done—most times even better than you could have.
When hiring an exterminator company, just make sure that you do your due diligence and thoroughly research before choosing one. Even when you have made your decision, check that the staff is qualified, certified, and has enough experience.
Also, make sure that you get a competitive rate.
Spider Cricket Control
Even though spider crickets aren’t dangerous, they can be a problem.
(Image: Teona Swift9)
Fortunately, you can deter spider crickets using a few simple techniques.
Knowing how to get rid of spider crickets is important, and if you are thinking about the most effective way to do it, then finding an exterminator might be the best option.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Get Rid of Spider Crickets
What Do Spider Crickets Eat?
Spider crickets are omnivorous, meaning they will eat almost anything that they come across. While in the wild, they feast on plants, wood, and even fungus. This means they will do the same when living in your home, and the worst part is the destruction that they cause.
They could chew into furniture, clothes, fabrics, carpets, curtains, or many other household items.
How Do Spider Crickets Get Inside Your Home?
You should know that spider crickets find clever ways to get inside your home. They will make use of any cracks, holes, or gaps in your windows, doors, and walls.
They are also attracted to darkness, dampness, and standing water bodies, which explains why you will find them in an outbuilding like a shed or garage, and of course, your home will likely come next.
What Are the Home Remedies for Spider Crickets? How To Get Rid of Spider Crickets Using DIY Methods?
You will be glad to know there are so many DIY remedies to help you eliminate spider crickets. They are cheap and convenient, and some are more effective than others.
You can use traps, soapy water, diatomaceous earth, boric acid, homemade repellents, insecticidal sprays, or even vacuum the pests. However, remember that there comes a point where you will have to contact a professional for help because DIY methods may be ineffective, especially for extensive infestations.
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References
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2How to Get Rid of Spider Crickets. (2021, August 20). Permakill Exterminating. Retrieved October 13, 2023, from <https://permakillexterminating.com/get-rid-of-spider-crickets/>
3Matthews, T. (2023, September 16). Spider Cricket Control: How to Get Rid of Spider Crickets? – Pest Samurai. Pest Samurai -. Retrieved October 13, 2023, from <https://pestsamurai.com/how-to-get-rid-of-spider-crickets/>
4Ramsey, S. (2022, December 29). How to Rid of Spider Crickets: 8 Effective Strategies. wikiHow. Retrieved October 13, 2023, from <https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Spider-Crickets>
5University of Florida. (2023, May 10). Natural Pest and Disease Management. UFL. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from <https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/natural-pest-and-disease-management.html>
6Hahn, J., & Ascerno, M. (2019). Crickets. UMN. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from <https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/crickets>
7Shipman, M. (2014, September 2). Asian Camel Crickets Now Common in U.S. Homes. NCSU. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from <https://news.ncsu.edu/2014/09/epps-camel-crickets-2014/>
8Bauernfeind, R. (2006, June). Crickets: Home and Horticultural Pests. K-STATE. Retrieved November 14, 2023, from <https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/docs/ag/Crickets.pdf>
9Teona Swift. Pexels. Retrieved from <https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-spreading-water-on-fresh-green-leaves-6913708/>
10USGS. Unsplash. Retrieved from <https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-and-black-insect-on-black-textile-DkhKXd9MI5g>
11Matilda Wormwood. Pexels. Retrieved from <https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-person-wearing-protective-suit-4099468/>
12Species Information Image: Camel cricket (Rhaphidophoridae, Ceuthophilinae) USA, TX, Jeff Davis Co.: Fort Davis Davis Mountains State Park 22.ix.2017 Photo by Alejandro Santillana (Insects Unlocked) / CC0 1.0 DEED | CC0 1.0 Universal. Cropped, Resized, Changed Format. Flickr. Retrieved February 13, 2024, from <https://www.flickr.com/photos/131104726@N02/37084320010/>