How much does it cost to get rid of crickets?

Reviewed by Irene Pomares remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Cricket extermination may seem extreme, but if you notice signs of these pests in your yard, garden, or home, you really should waste no time in addressing the issue. Do you hear chirping? “House crickets” typically surface indoors, while “field crickets” are usually outside. While crickets don’t present a hazard to humans, per se, they can do damage to your property and become a noisy nuisance.

Generally, exterminating crickets from an average property (inside and out) only requires a single visit from a local pest control professional. The average cost of getting rid of crickets is $175-$325, with the average homeowner spending around $250 on a single visit from a professional to remove crickets from a 3,000 sq.ft. property.

Cricket Extermination

Cricket Pest Control Costs

If you want to regain your peace and quiet, get rid of crickets quickly with a professional exterminator. Generally, they can take care of the problem in one visit by setting traps, applying pesticides, and pinpointing the areas of entry. Generally, exterminators come, assess the situation, conduct an inspection, and discuss options with the homeowner. Application of cricket bait and traps may require that homeowners are home during these appointments. Exterminators usually charge by the job, rather than the hour, and many provide an initial assessment for free. It usually costs around $250 for single treatment of a 3,000 square foot dwelling for cricket removal.

You may also enter into a contract with a pest control company, which involves routine visits every month, two months, quarter, or however often you want them to come, inspect for pests, and address the issue promptly. The cost of this is typically per visit and at a discount from the average house call of $250 previously mentioned; the rates range from $40-$250 per visit under these contracts, depending on frequency, pests involved, and the exterminator that you use. Another advantage of these arrangements is that you can call on them if you suspect an issue and they typically respond quickly–often at no additional cost.

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Cricket Extermination Costs by Method

Your exterminator will inform you about the best methods to deal with your infestation; many techniques depend on the accessibility of the crickets and where they are hiding. Tough-to-reach spaces, like behind baseboards or in attics, may require additional visits and fees to resolve your cricket conundrum.

Some methods employed by exterminators to get rid of crickets include:

Cricket Bait

Cricket bait often contains toxic Bifenthrin or boric acid and it can be used to lure and kill crickets. The bait is ingested by crickets, which later kills them. This bait is placed around dark corners and crevices, where these pests like to hide. Ask your exterminator about the bait being used to determine its toxicity to pets and humans in the house. In high amounts, it may be harmful.

Cricket sprinkle is granular bait, another form of cricket bait, which works well outdoors or in difficult to access areas of the home. Sprinkle is typically insecticide that can be dispersed easily, and that is alluring to crickets. Applied to the perimeter of the infested area, sprinkles work as crickets eat them and later die off. Most granular sprinkles are pet-safe, but talk to your exterminator to be sure. This is used in grass, gardens, garages, along walls, in crawl spaces and more–anywhere that crickets hide and where it won’t be consumed by pets or children.

Cricket Dust

Professionals may use cricket dust outside, in attics, or in crawl spaces. This works well when your home is infested with hard-to-find crickets. Deltamethrin dust is applied for crickets to ingest or crawl through, which will impact their nervous system, eventually killing them. While this low-odor pesticide is effective, it is less hazardous to larger beings, like pets and people, though prolonged exposure to large amounts could be toxic.

Cricket Trap

For a couple crickets that are keeping you awake chirping, enlist an exterminator to use cricket traps. These are typically non-toxic, though traps should not be used within reach of pets or small children, and are ideal for tough to reach spots if the exterminator is able to access such spaces. The exterminator will place glue boards in the middle of the area where chirping is heard, and within a couple of days the cricket should be trapped. Baited traps are effective, easy to hide, and long-lasting.

Cricket Spray

Cricket spray refers to a spray pesticide used by exterminators to treat areas under the house, along walkways and paths, and near sheds and entry points, where crickets can lurk. Spray pesticides often carry warnings and hazards, so talk to your exterminator about your options if you have pets in your home. Sprays work well in hard-to-reach spots and are typically very-effective.

Organic Options

Many professional exterminators offer services using EPA-certified products for clients that are concerned about this. Additionally, you can ask that preventative measures be implemented to avoid infestation at all.

Signs of Cricket Infestation

Many people may mistake a cricket for a grasshopper, as they do resemble each other. Crickets are cylindrical, with six legs and two long antennae or feelers on their head. Crickets generally are one-to-two inches in length, though indoor house crickets are smaller than outdoor field cricket breeds. Most crickets in this country are dark colored–brown, black, or green.

If you consistently see crickets around your home or property, you likely have an infestation on your hands. If you hear them chirping at night or notice deterioration and chew-marks on fabric, you may have crickets. Take a closer look with a magnifying glass to see where they have gnawed on your property, as they are similar to silverfish and will eat anything they find around your home.

Cost Factors to Get Rid of Crickets

There are several different cost factors involved in resolving a cricket infestation besides the type of extermination method you choose. Consider the following when figuring the costs to get rid of crickets in your home:

• Your geographic location and where you live impact what you will pay to get rid of crickets. For instance, there may not be a local exterminator in your region, which means that you may pay an additional amount for travel and time expenses, usually at the standard mileage rate of $0.545 per mile plus time spent on the road, which will drive up costs.
• Time of year also impacts the price to get rid of crickets. You may find it costs more during the prime infestation seasons, late summer and early fall, to get an exterminator to schedule you in. It all ties in with the laws of supply and demand.
• Species and breed also play a role in the cost. An infestation of biting Jerusalem crickets can cost more than exterminating a few camelback crickets from a home basement. Plus, the presence of crickets may also be a sign of other pest infestations in the home, since many are drawn to the same environmental conditions. Talk to your exterminator to learn more.
• Accessibility makes a difference in cost. If the exterminator cannot easily access the area where the pests are, it will cost more to achieve entry. Will special equipment be needed to reach the nest or infested area? This also contributes to costs.
• Repairs and renovations can also rack up a bill for homeowners, particularly in situations of extreme infestation. It is not uncommon to have to replace carpets, furniture, clothing, or personal items in the aftermath of an infestation. Costs related to reupholstery and carpet installation may also be a factor in the overall expense.
• Severity of infestation will matter, too. Usually, a cricket infestation requires just a single visit from a professional to trap crickets and apply preventative treatments around the property. This usually costs around $250. More crickets equate to more visits; this means the price could be as high as $1,000 in some cases. Talk to a pest control professional for more information.

Types of Crickets

In the simplest terms, crickets are divided into two different types: house crickets and field crickets. Since there are over 900 different species of crickets, it can help to know what kind/type/breed you are dealing with in your home and geographic locale. There are many distinctions that can help you in figuring out the type of crickets you have on your property. While all crickets are nocturnal, not all of them chirp or fly. Crickets are non-stinging and non-venomous, though some species can cause significant damage to property:

Basement Cricket

Basement crickets are not so much a species of cricket, but rather a group of species. Camel, cave, and spider crickets are all considered basement crickets. That is, they are the type of cricket that you will find in a basement, crawl space, or other moist, dark habitat.​

Camel Cricket or Cave Cricket

Camel and cave crickets are often left behind after house crickets have laid eggs indoors. They prefer warm, damp spaces, so they are often found near plumbing and fireplaces. Most don’t bite humans, some chirp, and they are usually brown or tan. These are often the same kind of crickets that you find in crawl spaces or basements, thus they are sometimes called basement crickets.

Spider Cricket

If you are wondering how to get rid of spider crickets, call a professional exterminator. Spider crickets are large and brown, resembling the wolf spider. Spider crickets can bite and they jump, which can make them frightening and intimidating for homeowners. You will find spider crickets in dark, damp places, which makes them basement crickets, too.

Jerusalem Cricket

There is some confusion surrounding the Jerusalem cricket: is it a bug or a cricket? Also called the Jerusalem bug or potato bug, the Jerusalem cricket spends its life underground, outdoors. These pests don’t have wings so they cannot fly, but they have a very strong jaw and bite. While not poisonous, their bite hurts and leaves welts. These crickets are quite large and found primarily in the western US and Mexico.

Southern Mole Cricket

If you notice damage to gardens or landscape, you may be dealing with a southern mole cricket. What is a mole cricket? Exactly what it sounds like: a cricket that has the tendency to burrow in the soil. So, where do mole crickets live? They live underground, laying their eggs, and typically remaining outside for the duration of their lives. An interesting fact is that this species will play dead if trapped or cornered, moving rapidly to get free quite spontaneously.

Field Cricket

The term “field crickets” generally refers to black crickets, which are black in color and primarily found outside. These crickets grow bigger and are more aggressive than house crickets. They jump and lay their eggs in the soil. These crickets are native to most of the US, most common in the eastern US including Florida. Field crickets will try to get inside your home when the weather turns colder and are attracted to lights, which often help guide them in. They will chew on and eat property, fabric, food, and other insects. True to their name, field crickets can also do damage by chewing on crops, gardens, and fields.

Cricket Damage

Wondering what kinds of damage are caused by crickets? Are crickets harmful to humans? The extent of risk and damage depends on several factors, including the types of crickets that you are dealing with:

Cricket Protection Plan

Protect your property and prevent a cricket infestation with some common-sense strategies that work. Clutter, moisture, and easy-access cause crickets to come inside during cooler seasons. If you want to use pesticide to prevent crickets, you may discuss service plans with area exterminators for recurring visits and costs. Be proactive and prevent crickets with these tips:

• Clear the clutter, both inside and outside the home. Get rid of anything that can serve to hide and harbor crickets, keeping them out of view. Reduce weeds, vegetation, and foliage, too.
• Set sticky traps to catch an illusive cricket or two and prevent infestation later.
• Use bait that crickets like, including molasses and cornmeal, in traps.
• Maintain frogs, lizards, and spiders in your ecosystem to reduce and eat crickets before they find their way inside your house.
• Plant things that will deter crickets, like garlic, cloves, cilantro, and sweet peas.
• Adopt a dog or cat. Both reduce cricket activity and cats often catch them.
• Vacuum vigilantly to prevent infestation. It takes a year for a cricket’s eggs to hatch.
• Use essential oil around the room to repel and deter crickets. Some oils that are effective include rosemary, clove, and thyme oil.
• Keep your wood pile far from the entry to your home whenever possible. Pests love to curl up and move into these areas.
• Elevate trash cans and receptacles so they are less enticing to pests.
• Fill in and caulk cracks, gaps, and holes that could provide a means of entry for crickets. Seal windows and doors well and keep an eye out for any gaps or cracks around the foundation, too.
• Talk to a professional about the right outdoor lighting to curb cricket activity. Crickets are drawn to bright, white light; hinder them by using warm-yellow, sodium vapor lights, or LED features, instead. Better yet, keep it dim around the perimeter of your home if you have a cricket issue.

How to Get Rid of Crickets in House

Female crickets lay hundreds of eggs, which take about a year to hatch. Once hatched, crickets take 45 days to three months to become adult crickets. The male crickets chirp to attract females during summer months, which is mating season. Crickets are less active during winter months and in colder weather.

How to Get Rid of Indoor Crickets

Indoor crickets are usually called house crickets, and they gain entry through open windows, doors, and other gaps and cracks in the home. These pests like moist, warm places, which is why they usually live outside during summer months. Finding a cricket that gets in the home can be tricky; they tend to be quiet when a human is nearby. Since crickets are attracted to heat, they can typically be located in a kitchen or near a heat source, like the furnace. They are quite sneaky, hiding in outlets, wall sockets, baseboards, or small cracks in walls or fixtures.

How to Get Rid of Crickets in the Garden

Crickets love a damp, moist garden patch, and they do bring some positive traits to this environment. Crickets can help to reduce the number of other pests that could be feeding on your vegetables or flowers, though, granted, crickets themselves can do irreparable damage to certain types of plants, too. The best way to address crickets in the garden is by intentionally planting deterrents, like garlic, cilantro, clove, and other odiferous herbs to drive them away. If you believe they are nesting on your property, deprive crickets the water they need by ceasing overwatering your property. This will force the pests away in search of a new place to nest. If the infestation persists, call a professional, who will handle the situation with effective cricket removal methods.

How to Get Rid of Crickets in the Yard

Crickets have a purpose in the yard and garden, as they help to break down soil and garden debris. While generally harmless, some homeowners may have allergies or sensitivities to these pests. Using pesticides around the outside of the home can help curb crickets; a professional exterminator can spray the yard and garden in a single visit (depending on the size of your property) at a rate that starts at around $250 per application per 3,000 square foot property.

Property owners may also get creative with what they plant in order to curb crickets. For instance, you can first clear and trim your landscape to deter pests and then add some plants that will drive them away. In the case of crickets, plant things like garlic, cilantro, and clove, these will help keep them away.

How to Get Rid of Crickets in the Basement

Crickets love a damp, dark environment which is why many head to cellars, crawl spaces, and basements when the weather outside becomes too cool. Make sure to remove items that are inherently attractive to pests, i.e. wet, moist, or damp material, vegetation, and belongings. Set traps and seal up entry points, as you would in any other area of the home. Dehumidify the space if possible using a tabletop dehumidifier and call an exterminator if the situation doesn’t improve.

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How to Get Rid of Crickets in Garage

A garage may seem like the perfect place to store building materials or belongings, which makes them susceptible to moisture. This can be very appealing to crickets (and other pests) who may be looking for a damp place to nest. Set sticky traps or hire a professional exterminator to apply pesticides, preferably pet friendly and non-toxic, around the garage walls. Also, you should keep the grass and vegetation trimmed back around the perimeter to deter pest activity. Curb clutter kept in your garage to keep crickets at bay.

How to Get Rid of Crickets in Walls

The first thing to do is to caulk and seal any entry points to your home to prevent further cricket infestation. This problem generally merits calling in a professional to locate the crickets as they can be quite illusive. These pests can become silent and sneaky when they sense humans are near. Generally, your exterminator will focus traps near appliances and base boards of walls where crickets may be hiding. Severe situations may call for the exterminator to return to check your trap each day.

How to Get Rid of a Cricket You Can’t Find

Can’t find a pesky cricket inside your home? Check sources of heat, like your hot water heater or furnace vents, first. Crickets can burrow and make themselves very small to fit in cracks behind the wall’s baseboards. These pests also can fit in light sockets, electrical outlets, and plumbing. It is very difficult to locate crickets since they become silent when humans are near, so it makes the most sense to hire an exterminator to track down the pest.

How to Catch Crickets

If you are wondering how to catch crickets, you must know how to attract crickets. They like bright, white light and moist, warm places. Crickets also sense when a human is near, becoming quiet and ceasing their chirping, which makes them illusive. Outside, crickets will survive on other insects, while indoor crickets will eat about anything, including clothing, linen, and furnishings. If you are asking yourself, “how long does a cricket live?,” you should know that the lifespan of a cricket is about 90 days in nature, and the males typically die as soon as mating season is over. Crickets that find their way inside your home can live longer, even indefinitely, with food and water sources nearby. Crickets are illusive and jump, so it can be tough to catch them. Professionals use sticky traps with bait to lure and remove crickets from a home in many cases.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Permit. You do not need a permit or license to rid your home of crickets or to call an exterminator. You should, however, only hire a qualified professional to address the situation or risk property damage and further problems.
• DIY. There are various DIY traps that can be effective at getting rid of a cricket or two, though they may be less effective when dealing with major infestation situations. The main DIY solution is often sticky-paper that is laid in areas known for cricket activity, including in crawl spaces, under windows, or near water. Crickets love corn, which makes it an excellent choice of bait for your sticky traps.
• Baiting tactics. Some other baiting tactics include using cornmeal or molasses for a bit more organic option when getting rid of crickets.
• Warranty. Cricket extermination services widely guarantee efficacy after their visit or they will provide return service. Ask your exterminator for your options if the extermination doesn’t yield the results you desire.
• Repairs. Crickets will also chew on things like cloth, fabric, carpet, food scraps, trash, rubber, and vegetation or plant matter. Know that it may cost more than the extermination fees to restore and repair damage caused by these pests, depending on the severity and duration of the infestation.
• Keep food and water away from crickets. Crickets will last about a week without food or water. Crickets will become cannibalistic and eat other crickets if they are deprived long enough. Shutting down any food and water sources that the crickets utilize is an effective element in preventing or stopping an infestation.
• Eco-friendly options. There are eco-friendly options when it comes to preventing a cricket infestation. Some of these options for homeowners include sticky traps, baked molasses, and diatomaceous earth which is a natural organic material made from fossilized shells and algae skeletons. The compound cuts through the cricket’s body, causing it to dry out and die. Some professional exterminators offer these non-toxic methods to get rid of crickets so ask to learn more.

References

• Bob Vila. “How To: Get Rid of Crickets."
  https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-crickets/
• Dengarden. “How to Get Rid of Crickets Inside Your House."
  https://dengarden.com/pest-control/How-to-Get-Rid-of-Crickets-Inside-Your-Home
• Difference Between.net. “Difference Between Black and Brown Crickets."
  http://www.differencebetween.net/science/nature/difference-between-black-and-brown-crickets/
• FIXR Cost Guides and Cost Database.
• PestWorld.org. “House Crickets.”
  https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/occasional-invaders/house-crickets/
• Terminix. “Get Rid of Crickets Fast”.
  https://www.terminix.com/pest-control/crickets/
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. “Cricket control in the fall."
  https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/household/misc-house/ent-2003/
• The Home Depot. “How to Get Rid of Crickets.”
  https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-get-rid-of-crickets/9ba683603be9fa5395fab903b228d09
• The Spruce. “How to Keep Crickets Out of Your Home.”
  https://www.thespruce.com/control-crickets-in-the-home-2656418