One of the interesting things about observing nature is keeping track of cycles. Late summer and fall bring a very interesting cycle to Texas, the invasion of the crickets! This is the time of year that adult crickets seem to swarm around commercial buildings and homes.
The crickets that are popping up fright now are referred to as field crickets and belong to the Gryllus assimilis family. Females lay eggs in the fall, and they prefer
firm, bare dirt sites. Each female can lay as many as 150-400 eggs. Eggs stay in the soil over winter and hatch in the spring.
Immature crickets take about three months to develop into adults. Adult crickets are capable of flying and mating. Male crickets make the chirping sound to attract females and mark their territory.
Cricket outbreaks seem to occur during years of dry springs and summers, and their numbers start to peak in August and September when a rainfall breaks the dry weather. That certainly seems to be the case at our house this year!
Crickets are outdoor insects, but they can invade the indoors. Once inside, crickets can damage clothing or other fabrics with stains and feeding. Dead crickets that pile up have a distinct (and terrible) odor.
Outside lighting is the main culprit for cricket infestations around comes and buildings. Bright lights on the outside of buildings attract adult crickets during mating season. Where it is feasible, reducing outdoor lights at night is the most important step in controlling crickets.
To prevent crickets from entering buildings, seal any cracks or openings around a building, especially around outdoor lights. Steel wool or brass wool can be stuffed into weep holes as a temporary barrier that will still allow air circulation.
Crickets can be treated around building perimeters with insecticidal baits and sprays. Baits can include products containing hydramethylnon, metaldehyde, carbaryl, and propoxur. Insecticides to be sprayed around outdoor sites include carbaryl, permethrin, cyfluthrin, and bifenthrin. A professional exterminator can spray areas for longer lasting control.
Regardless of the bait or insecticide product, the best method to reduce crickets is to reduce outdoor lighting. This cycle should pass soon, as all natural cycles do. Cold weather will reduce cricket activity, although that cycle seems to be stalled!
For more information about lawn and garden topics, contact County Extension Horticulturist Kate Hajda at the Williamson County AgriLife Extension Office at 512-943-3300.
