The Camel Cricket

If you've never been introduced to the camel cricket, you may have the notion that it is an insect with humps on its back that lives in the desert and can survive for months without water. Well, you would be right about one thing; it is definitely an insect. But this insect has nothing in common with a camel--and barely anything in common with crickets. In fact, many people mistake the camel cricket for a spider--a spider that can leap several feet off a cellar wall and drive a hardened criminal to squeal like a little girl. Not that we've tested this theory on any hardened criminals. But, if you've ever been startled by a camel cricket, you know this little factoid has to be true.

So, why do people mistake the camel cricket for a spider? - Because its legs and antennae give this insect an arachnid appearance. If you look closely, it is easy to see which appendages are legs and which are antennae, but in the dark, they all look like legs.

Okay. We've established that the camel cricket looks like a spider and can jump a whole lot farther than a spider. But the real question is, are camel crickets dangerous? You'll be happy to know that cardiac arrest and mental trauma are the only things you have to fear from the camel cricket. Besides looking like a spider and jumping straight at you from your cellar wall, this pest is harmless to humans. It is not, however, harmless to fabrics and plants. The camel cricket is an omnivore. It will dine on just about anything. So, you're probably not going to want these critters bouncing around your home.

The good news:

If you have this cricket living in your home, it is likely to hang out in moist, dark places, which means that your fabrics and plants are going to be safe, for the most part. That is, unless you keep them in your basement or garage.

The bad news:

Living with creepy pests that jump when you come near them--usually directly at you--is not a lot of fun. It is also bad when temperatures drop and these insects begin to congregate for warmth. One camel cricket is bad, but a couple dozen is really bad.

More good news:

This is a pest that can be controlled with modern pest management. When you're ready to get rid of camel crickets, along with over 30 other common household pests, the certified pest specialists here at Parkway Pest Services are ready to assist you. Reach out to us and start the conversation today. What do you have to lose, except maybe the fear of going down into your basement?