If you are like most folks, you use your basement for a variety of things. You probably have a washer and dryer down there, and maybe a workbench or craft area. Perhaps you have a ping pong table, foosball, or some other game. Yes, there are all sorts of things people like to keep in their basements. But camel crickets aren't one of them. If you've ever had a run in with camel crickets, I am sure you will agree. Spiders in the basement are bad enough, but spiders don't jump out at you from dark corners, scaring the wits right out of you. Imagine minding your own business, carrying laundry to the washer, whistling a happy tune when, all of a sudden, something comes flying out of nowhere and smacks you in the forehead, causing you to scream like a little girl.
And who could blame you? These creepy things look like giant bugs that have a spider for a mother and a cricket for a father. They are called camel crickets, but some people call them spider crickets or sprickets. Most people just call them gross.
Having these creatures in your basement can be a nightmare, but they usually aren't content to just stay in the basement. If their population is left unchecked, they will eventually grow to such numbers that they emerge into the lower floors of a home, this is when they really become a problem. You will be able to tell if you have a large population of these critters when their frass, that is, their feces, colors your walls dark brown. Typically these crickets eat fungi on damp basement walls, but if they can't find this, they will eat other things such as carpeting, cardboard, wood, and even each other.
How to get rid of camel crickets:
- Trap these pests with the use of duct tape and a bait. Many websites recommend using pet food or something similar.
- Seal gaps and cracks in your foundation and around doors and windows.
- Eliminate moisture in your basement with fans and/or a dehumidifier.
- Reduce the conditions that allow them back in by removing leaf clutter from around your house and keeping mulch away from your foundation.
When you've had enough:
If you've tried everything and these things just keep jumping out at you from dark corners, it might be time to seek professional advice. You might not be able to figure out how camel crickets are getting into your home if you don't have an education in entomology, but fortunately, here at Parkway Pest Services, we have some folks who know all about these things. We have guaranteed service to Long Island, Five Boroughs, Westchester, and Connecticut. If you live in one of these areas and you are having an issue with camel crickets, or any other household pest, give us a call. We will be happy to help make your basement a little less scary.