How to Control Indoor Crickets in Fall

 

If crickets are getting inside your home in the fall, the best way to control them is to block their entry, reduce the things that attract them, remove those already inside, and make your space less comfortable for them to stay. Below are easy-to-follow, specific actions you can take, whether you see a few crickets or a sudden invasion.

 

Seal Entry Points to Stop Crickets Coming Inside

 

Crickets come indoors as it turns cooler, looking for warmth. The smallest gaps or cracks are enough for them.

• Check doors and windows – Make sure screens have no holes. Use weatherstripping or door sweeps to close gaps under doors.
• Seal cracks in walls, floors, or around window frames with caulk. Expanding foam can help for larger gaps.
• Look at spots where cables, pipes, or vents enter walls – fill gaps here tightly with caulk or steel wool.
• Keep the garage door closed and make sure it fits tightly against the floor.

 

Remove Things That Attract Crickets

 

Crickets love cool, damp, and cluttered places, and feed on organic debris.

• Keep indoor areas dry by running a dehumidifier in basements and using exhaust fans in bathrooms.
• Vacuum carpets and clean floors regularly to remove crumbs and food bits. Store food in sealed containers.
• Declutter – Remove cardboard boxes, heaps of clothes, stacks of paper, or other clutter where crickets can hide.
• Clean up pet food, bird seed, or spilled grains immediately, as these attract crickets.

 

Remove Crickets Already Inside

 

If you see crickets inside, here’s how to get rid of them:

• Physically catch and release crickets using a glass and a piece of paper, or vacuum them up directly. Empty your vacuum canister outdoors immediately to prevent any escapees inside your house.
• Sticky traps (glue boards) placed along walls or in corners can catch crickets as they travel – these are available at most hardware or home improvement stores.
• For large numbers, you can spray cracks and baseboards with a household insecticide labeled for crickets. Follow all label directions carefully and keep children and pets away until dry.

 

Make Indoors Unfriendly for Crickets

 

Crickets won’t stick around if they can’t find food, water, or good hiding places.

• Lower your indoor humidity; crickets hate dry environments.
• Let in light – crickets like dark hiding spots, so keep storage areas well-lit or use motion-sensor lights.
• Keep outdoor lights off or use yellow “bug” bulbs, since bright lights attract crickets toward your home at night.

 

Control Outdoor Crickets to Reduce Indoor Problems

 

Many indoor cricket problems come from heavy populations outdoors.

• Keep grass short and trim weeds/vegetation close to your home.
• Move firewood, stones, or piles of boards away from the house; these are shelter spots for crickets.
• Rake leaves and remove debris around your house foundation regularly to eliminate hiding places.
• If needed, you can have a professional pest control company put a barrier treatment (an insecticide applied to the outside foundation) to deter crickets from coming inside – but usually, the other steps above will work well first.

 

Regular Maintenance and Observation

 

Cricket invasions often repeat each fall unless you take these steps every year.

• Inspect and reseal any gaps or damaged weatherstripping before fall each year.
• Stay on top of housekeeping and moisture control, especially in basements and storage rooms.
• Check sticky traps monthly and replace them if full or dusty.
• If you see several crickets again, repeat the indoor controls and search for any new entry points or attractants you may have missed.

 

As a summary: to control indoor crickets in fall, stop them getting in by sealing all possible entry points, keep your home clean and dry, remove any crickets you find, reduce clutter, and address cricket populations outside as needed. Prevention is always easiest, but once crickets are inside, swift action and regular checks work best.