Crickets are small insects that are distinctly related to the grasshopper. They are usually found all around the world and usually find solace in grassy areas.
However, crickets, like most other insects, generally prefer areas that are damp and dark, and where they can get a steady supply of food.
If crickets find their way into your basement, garage, or your attic, it won’t take long before they are able to settle and build a small colony.
You need to be particularly careful that you get rid of the crickets in your basement quickly, because it won’t take long for the animals to establish a foothold and start multiplying.
Unlike most insects, crickets like to make a lot of noise. The distant chirping sound you might hear at night is usually made by the crickets. It’s a courting sound made by the male crickets, and it’s quite loud.
The last thing that you would want after a long and tiring day is to lie down in bed, only to be woken up by the sounds of crickets chirping in your basement.
Needless to say, crickets in the basement are a big problem. It’s something that you need to address as quickly as possible, otherwise they are going to continue waking you up in the night.
Thankfully, getting rid of crickets from the basement isn’t a big problem. Crickets aren’t generally harmful insects, so you don’t have much to worry about.
Here’s how you can get rid of them.
1 – Call an Exterminator
The first and the safest option to consider is to call an exterminator to your place. Get in touch with a pest control company and let them take care of the cricket infestation for you.
They are going to set up bait traps and they will help you get rid of the infestation within a few days. They are also going to fumigate the basement thoroughly to ensure that all other insects are also removed.
Crickets usually like to hide in hard to reach places, so it’s going to be difficult for you to get rid of them right away. But, when you call an exterminator to your house, they are going to handle everything on their own.
Once the exterminator carries out an inspection of the problem, they will give you a quote for the fumigation process.
2 – Homemade Cricket Bait
There are also other methods that you can use to get rid of crickets in your house. One of the easiest methods that you can use is to make some homemade cricket bait, and then catch these chirpy little insects on your own.
It is ideal for luring crickets that tend to hide in the corners and those nooks and crannies. It is also incredibly effective.
The first step is to take some molasses, and keep it in a shallow bowl. Once you are done with that, you need to fill the bowl at least halfway with water.
Then, you need to just place the bowl in the basement, where you are sure the cricket infestation exists. Remember, crickets love molasses, and they will jump in the bowl without a second thought when they smell it.
You will have to empty the bowl quite frequently, and before you know it, all of the crickets will be removed from your house. Apart from that, you can also buy chemical cricket bait from local hardware stores.
This is a reliable solution for people who do not want to make the effort of making the bait on their own. It’s recommended that you buy the chemical cricket bait and then place it in a bowl.
This is a basic method that is used to catch crickets. However, if you are using chemical bait, you need to make sure that your family doesn’t go near the bowl.
This is a toxic substance, and it’s important that you keep your family, especially kids, away from it.
3 – Setting up Traps
Another effective method that you can use to get rid of the crickets in the basement is to set up traps.
Sticky glue traps are an effective choice and are usually regarded as a nontoxic way of catching these insects. Sticky glue traps are usually the preferred choice for people who don’t want to use bug sprays for any reason.
You can buy these traps from any local hardware store, and just place them in problem areas, such as the corners of the basement.
Also, make sure you cover open pathways, such as doorways, the walls, and the windows, all of which are quite commonly used by crickets.
The insect passages are usually located closer to moisture and heat, so you need to make sure that these traps are kept in a place as close to that as possible. You will need to stay away from the traps for a while to ensure that the crickets are able to move around and get caught.
Once they are trapped in the glue, you can remove them and clean the traps, before setting them up again.
Remember, glue traps are generally regarded as a slow way of cleaning out the crickets, so it’s recommended that you give it a few days to let the traps work their magic and capture all of the crickets.
4 – Using Bug Spray
Crickets are like normal insects, so most bug sprays usually work like a charm on them.
There are several effective bug sprays available in the market that you can use to get rid of crickets in your house. You can either choose an all-purpose bug spray or choose one that was designed to effectively kill crickets.
You need to apply the spray carefully along the windowsills, in the corners, and other places where you might have noticed the infestation growing.
Also, it’s best if you wear a mask when you use these sprays; they contain noxious substances and toxic chemicals that can lead to a myriad of problems.
It’s best to take adequate protection when handling such harsh chemicals.
5 – Removing the Eggs
Getting rid of the cricket eggs is also an important part of the cleanup process.
Once the crickets find a suitable place where they can hide out, it won’t take long before they start laying eggs in corners and other safe areas. If that happens, you need to take action as quickly as possible.
Crickets usually lay thousands of eggs, and it won’t take long before the entire infestation gets out of control. You need to make sure that you take action before that happens.
Getting rid of the cricket eggs really isn’t hard. You need to make sure that you first get a vacuum cleaner that comes with a HEPA filter installed.
The HEPA filter helps filter the air and also improves the power of the vacuum cleaner, allowing it to suck all of the eggs off the ground quickly.
You need to make sure that you get rid of all the contents from the vacuum cleaner by sealing them up in a plastic bag first, and throwing them out in the bin.
Make sure you don’t spill the contents when transferring them, and wash the vacuum bag as thoroughly as possible before inserting it back into the cleaner.
Another effective way to get rid of the cricket eggs is to use a bug spray. Most sprays contain chemicals that are able to kill the eggs too.
Crickets usually lay these eggs along the trim as well as the baseboards, so you have to make sure that you spray around those areas in direct fashion. It’s the best way to get rid of the cricket eggs.
6 – Removing the Nesting Areas
Crickets are usually entering your property through tiny cracks in the walls or gaps in the windows. You need to first seal off all the entry points. If you don’t do that, the crickets will keep on coming.
The most effective way of preventing a cricket infestation is to seal off your property and prevent these tiny insects from entering your house in the first place.
To do this, you need to first carry out a thorough inspection of your property. You need to carefully look for areas such as small gaps from where these crickets might enter.
Since they are in your basement, you might want to start off by checking the small windows at the top.
There might be tiny gaps near the windows that might be allowing the crickets to enter. If there is a gap in the drywall, you need to seal it up right away. Tiny crevices in the walls are a serious problem, and will allow crickets to enter quite conveniently.
On top of that, if there is a door through which the crickets might be entering the property, you can easily buy an attachment that can be placed underneath the door.
This prevents the crickets from entering from underneath the door, and effectively seals your basement as well.
Another likely point of entry is the vent leading to the basement. Ideally, it is good practice for homeowners to ensure that they place screens on all of the vents in the house.
This not only prevents pesky insects from moving through the vents, but it also prevents rodents from calling these vents their home.
7 – Seal Your Trash Too
Crickets are generally attracted to specific things, and your trash is one of them. The smell of trash is basically food for these insects, and if you keep the trash bins near your house, you are effectively providing an invitation to the crickets to enter.
This shouldn’t even be a problem: you should always make it a habit to seal up the trash before chucking it in the bin. Make sure you tie up the plastic bags before you keep them in the bin.
Not only that, but you should make sure that the bins have a firm lid that is always covered. You don’t want to allow these crickets to find their way into your trash bins.
From there, it’s only a short walk away to your place!
8 – Remove the Vegetation
When was the last time you properly mowed your lawn? Crickets love to build their nests in tall grass and usually like to usually hide in vegetation.
You will realize this when you notice the chirping sounds coming from your garden, but you won’t be able to exactly pinpoint where it’s coming from.
That’s the sound of crickets chirping for their mates. To ensure that your garden doesn’t get infested with crickets, you have to carry out regular landscaping.
Ideally, this shouldn’t be a problem; you can just use the lawnmower to cut back on the excess grass from your property and prune the trees and hedges.
It’s important not just for keeping the crickets away, but also for the regular upkeep of your garden. You also need to make sure that you get rid of any compost piles or wood piles.
If there is a blockage in your drainage or your gutters that was caused by an excess amount of leaves, you need to dispose of it as well.
These are all places where crickets might build their houses, so you have to make sure that all of these places are properly dealt with.
9 – Shut Off Bright Lights
Like most other insects, crickets are also attracted to bright lights. If you have bright, white lights all over your house, you might want to get rid of them.
Similarly, if you like to leave the lights on at night throughout the house, you might want to reconsider doing that.
These pesky insects are immediately drawn to light, and you have to make sure that you make the place as inhospitable to these insects as possible. Using warm lights that are eco-friendly is generally a wise idea.
Also, draw the shades at night to prevent the insects from seeing too much light. These are just some simple tips to get rid of crickets in the basement!
I have a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When I’m not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies…I’m at home with my wife, two daughters and a dog. Outside of family, I love grilling and barbequing on my Big Green Egg and working on projects around the house.