How to Get Rid of Camel Crickets
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Time: A weekend to dehumidify and seal; ongoing trapping for a few weeks
- Cost: Low — a dehumidifier, caulk, and sticky traps
- Success: High once basement/crawl-space humidity is controlled
Can you DIY Camel Cricket?
The verdict on Camel Cricket DIY
A beginner-friendly DIY — and the scary jump is a bluff, not an attack.
Camel crickets (native Ceuthophilus species, and the greenhouse camel cricket Diestrammena asynamora) are harmless, wingless, moisture-loving basement and crawl-space invaders. They don't bite, sting, chirp, or carry disease. Their startling hop toward a disturbance is a defensive bluff to startle a predator and escape, not an attack — a myth worth correcting before it drives anyone to overreact with chemicals. The real fix is dehumidifying the damp space they depend on.
The 5 DIY methods — honestly graded
Every approach graded for this species, in IPM order — prevention first, chemistry late. Pick a method to see how it works, the steps, and what it actually takes.
Prevention / Exclusion
Works wellDehumidifying the space is the primary, most effective control for this species.
Camel crickets require high humidity and dark, damp harborage; removing that environment through dehumidifying and sealing removes the conditions that let a population establish and grow.
Best for: The long-term, durable fix
Dehumidify basements and crawl spaces
Run a dehumidifier targeting relative humidity below roughly 50%, and improve ventilation in persistently damp areas.
TipA moisture meter or hygrometer helps confirm you've hit the target.Seal gaps and keep debris off the foundation
Seal foundation gaps and vents, add door sweeps, and keep mulch and firewood away from the house.
Tools & materials
Why DIY falls short here
Not scare tactics — the specific, proportionate reasons a home attempt can stall for this species.
Unaddressed dampness
High numbers signal a genuine moisture problem that also invites mold and wood rot — chemicals alone fail while that dampness persists, so treating the symptom without the cause means the crickets keep coming back.
The greenhouse species can breed indoors
The introduced greenhouse camel cricket can complete its entire life cycle inside a damp basement, meaning the population can rebuild itself without any new bugs entering from outside.
Hidden harborage behind finished walls
In finished basements, camel crickets can hide behind wall panels or under flooring where they're never seen or trapped, letting a population persist unnoticed.
How risky is it, really?
An honest read — most nuisance species are genuinely low risk, and we say so.
Camel crickets are harmless — no bite, sting, or disease. The intimidating jump toward a disturbance is a startle-and-escape bluff, not an attack, and large numbers are best understood as a moisture flag for your basement or crawl space.
- Nibbling on stored fabrics or paper in large numbersOccasional
A minor, slow-developing issue in heavily infested storage areas over time
NC State Extension
- Bite, sting, or disease transmissionRare
Not documented — camel crickets are harmless to people and pets
University of Maine Extension
- The startling jump toward youCommon
A defensive startle-and-escape reflex, not an attack — camel crickets don't chase or attempt to harm people
NC State Extension
Can't Dry Out Your Basement on Your Own?
A hidden leak or drainage problem can be hard to track down. Anchor Pest Services offers a full moisture and exclusion assessment across southern and central New Hampshire. Family-owned since 2017, NH license #782664.
Call a pro when…
- Populations persist after consistent dehumidifying and sealing
- A finished basement makes moisture and harborage sources hard to locate
- You suspect a hidden leak or drainage problem
General Pest Control
You rarely need a pro for camel crickets — this is a dehumidify-and-trap job. The exception is a persistent, hard-to-fix moisture problem or a finished basement where harborage is hidden behind walls or flooring.
Keep them out
- Keep basement/crawl-space humidity below roughly 50%
- Seal foundation gaps, vents, and add door sweeps
- Keep mulch and firewood away from the foundation
Camel crickets in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's older basements and crawl spaces, common in the region's housing stock, provide the damp, dark harborage camel crickets need. They're a year-round problem tied to moisture rather than a seasonal invader, though sightings often increase in humid summer months when basement dampness peaks.
Peak season
Year-round, most noticeable during humid summer months
First-frost anchor
Manchester first hard frost ~Oct 19 (50%) / Oct 29 (80%), NOAA 1991–2020
Make sure it's a Camel Cricket
Two quick detours worth taking — confirm the ID, then learn what drew it in so it doesn't come back.
Frequently asked
Sources & further reading(2)
- [1]NC State Extension — Camel Crickets
Biology, harmless status, jump-response myth correction, control recommendations
extensionverified 2026-07-13 - [2]University of Maine Cooperative Extension — Camel Cricket Fact Sheet
Regional biology and control guidance
extensionverified 2026-07-13
Written & reviewed by
VerifiedDaniel Brady
NH-Licensed Pesticide Applicator · License #782664 (NHDAMF, RSA 430)
Daniel Brady is the New Hampshire–licensed applicator behind Anchor Pest Services, a family-owned pest control company serving the Manchester area since 2017.
Last updated July 2026
Other species you can tackle
Same category — the dot shows each one's DIY verdict at a glance (green = friendly, amber = doable with care, red = call a pro).
Professional Pest Control
Can't Dry Out Your Basement on Your Own?
A hidden leak or drainage problem can be hard to track down. Anchor Pest Services offers a full moisture and exclusion assessment across southern and central New Hampshire. Family-owned since 2017, NH license #782664.
- Moisture-source diagnosis
- NH-licensed applicators (#782664)
- Free inspection — same-day service across southern NH
NH License #782664 · No obligation · We answer in person
Your next step
- What to do next
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