Do you remember the story of Pinocchio, a puppet who wanted to be a boy, and Jiminy Cricket, his
friendly companion who sat by the fire keeping toasty warm? They made a great pair, but things Jiminy
said were sometimes an annoyance to Pinocchio.

Maybe you’re not familiar with these characters. If not, you’ve surely heard the sound of crickets chirping
in the middle of the night. That noise can be pretty annoying, too—especially if you’re trying to sleep!

What Are House Crickets and Why do They Chirp?

House crickets are small insects around 3/4 to 1 inch long. They’re light brown or tan with three dark
bands on their heads. Known for their chirping sound, members of this species are usually active during
warmer months. When temperatures dip, they often seek shelter inside your house or business.

Their chirping sound has been likened to the cheep-cheep of newborn chicks. Only male crickets make
this noise, and they do so to attract females. Each male sits in his own little territory and sings until a
mate comes into range.

They produce chirps by rubbing their wings together. These sounds can be pretty loud—sometimes up to
100 decibels—and vary in pitch and frequency depending on the temperature. You might notice they
chirp more often at night, but they can be active during the day, too.

The male also has a sharp aggressive piping note, which is heard when another male tries to enter its
territory.

A love-sick cricket may sing for hours at a time; you may have endured one of these lengthy serenades.
In one study a zoologist reported a single cricket chirped over 42,000 times in just four hours. That was
one determined insect!

A Long History with Humans

House crickets have been around for millennia, and many cultures have long been fascinated with them.
In ancient China, for example, wealthy women kept crickets as pets and believed their chirping was a
symbol of good luck. In fact, it was common practice for Chinese women to keep crickets on their pillows
to bring comfort and good fortune while they slept. Their delicate, melodic chirping was often seen as a
source of peace, especially at night.

Are Crickets Harmful?

House crickets are more of a nuisance than a danger. They don’t transmit diseases to humans or
animals, as other pests do. However, their constant chirping can be an irritation, especially at night when
it interrupts your sleep.

Where do Crickets Live?

Since crickets feed on organic matter (and sometimes other insects), they prefer living outdoors. (They’re
also known to occasionally nibble on fabric or food, but this isn’t their primary diet.) They are more
common in warmer climates but can live just about anywhere.

Crickets are quite active during late summer and fall. As outside temperatures drop, they’re drawn to
warm places like your home or business. Consequently, you may hear them sing a bit during cooler
months if they’ve settled in a comfortable place. Fortunately, this is rare.

These insects typically enter homes through cracks in the foundation, gaps around windows or doors, or
vents. They can squeeze through surprisingly tiny openings. They prefer dark, damp places, so you’re
likely to find them in basements, attics, kitchens, or bathrooms.

If conditions are just right, they can reproduce indoors. Female crickets lay their eggs in cracks and
crevices, or sometimes in the soil of potted plants. Their eggs will hatch within a few weeks. When this
happens your cricket “problem” will turn into an “infestation!”

How to Prevent Crickets from Entering Your Home

Now that you know a little more about these critters, let’s talk about how to keep them out of your space.
First, seal any cracks and gaps around windows and doors. Installing weather stripping can help block
their entry points. You should also keep outdoor lights to a minimum, as these attract crickets and many
other kinds of pests. If you spot a cricket inside, grab a vacuum to suck it up, or use a jar to trap it, and
release it outside.

While house crickets won’t harm you, they can definitely be an annoyance. By taking a few simple steps,
you can avoid these “bug ballads” and keep your home peaceful.

Temperatures are cold now, but warm weather is coming. As the days grow longer and warmer, crickets
will again become active. Should these insects or other pests become more than you can handle, contact us at (405) 679-8729 to discuss a plan of action.