For many Oklahoma City property owners, the sound of crickets at night can be a regular summer backdrop. While some people find the chirping noise comforting and even relaxing, others can find the sound to be quite grating. Crickets might be best known for making this noise, but it’s actually only the males that do so. Whether you like the sound or not, crickets can become a problem when their numbers grow large and their presence becomes invasive. Also, many people don’t realize this, but crickets can spread disease. While there are different species of crickets in the state, one of the most common, and the one you’re most likely to notice around your property, is the house cricket.
Since crickets can look similar to grasshoppers, having a brief guide to help you tell house crickets apart from other species is helpful. Here is what house crickets look like:
- They are a yellowish-brown color with three dark bands on their heads.
- They have six legs, and their hind legs are rather large.
- They are the crickets who make the loud, chirping noises that set them apart.
- They have wings.
Problems Associated With Crickets
One of the most annoying and obvious issues with crickets is the loud noises that the males make. This noise might not seem too bad at first, but with a large infestation, it can seem extremely loud and never-ending. Some People might find it hard to sleep because of the incessant chirp of crickets.
However, the real reason why crickets are a problem is that they can carry and transmit diseases. Many of the diseases they carry aren’t severe, but they can still affect humans. The most common concern with cricket-borne diseases is painful sores that can be contracted through their bite, contact with their bodies, or their feces.
And, if dealing with all of this wasn’t bad enough, crickets can also do property damage as they will chew on fabrics.
Tips For Preventing Crickets
Because of the many problems caused by crickets, taking steps to prevent them is important. While these prevention tips can’t always completely deter them, they can help make your property less appealing to these insects.
Here are some simple and effective cricket prevention methods:
- Block entry to the home by sealing up cracks and crevices in the foundation.
- Make sure that any holes or tears in screens are repaired.
- Keep your home free of clutter as this provides more places for crickets to hide.
- Ensure that windows and doors are tightly fitted in their frames to seal up access points.
- Reduce moisture content in the building by fixing leaky pipes and faucets.
- Ensure that crawl spaces and basements are well-ventilated.
- Mow your lawn regularly.
- Get help from pest control professionals.
The Most Effective Way To Keep Crickets Out Of Your Oklahoma City Home
Taking steps on your own to protect your Oklahoma City property from crickets is important, but the best and most effective way to keep crickets away and remove any infestations is with continued professional assistance from Thunder Pest Control. You can trust our 25 years of experience in the area and our commitment to family-friendly service. To find out more, and to get your free quote, give us a call.
