Crickets!!!

Dailyshine · 09-10-07, 04:07

Anyone have a solution for getting rid of crickets? Preferably non toxic if possible. They're outside for the most part, but I have exterminated a few that found their way inside.

I don't see as many birds as I usually do, so I'm wondering if their absence threw the cricket population off balance. I've heard spreading some bird seed to attract the birds would help thin out the crickets ranks.

I know they are beneficial bugs (and are considered lucky in China) and while I really don't mind all that much with them being in the lawns and whatnot, I draw the line when they enter my house. Lucky or not

Thanks for any suggestions!

Scottwax · 09-10-07, 08:05

Mine loves crickets.

Dailyshine · 09-10-07, 10:44

The pic doesn't seem to be showing on this end...

What is it? A snake? Lizard?

Now THAT would be fun to explain to my wife when she comes home to see jungle planet in our front yard.

Though they would help keep unwanted guests away. The two legged variety as well as the six.

kompressornsc · 09-10-07, 11:04

I had the same problem last night!

What I did was this: slowly...very slowly...sneak up on them from behind. Next, soak the holy crap out of them with some industrial strength bug killer.

I'm sure there are more environmentally friendly ways.

Seriously. Bug killer.

Oh-why the lousy attitude you ask? 'Cause one was in my freakin' bedroom closet last night. Probably wouldn't have bothered me, excpet that the cat thinks she needs to try to find it. And of course when the cat goes into the closet, the dog has to get up to see what's going on. And then I have to get up and get the dog and the cat out of the closet.

...all for a little cricket...

Dailyshine · 09-10-07, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by kompressornsc

'Cause one was in my freakin' bedroom closet last night. Probably wouldn't have bothered me, excpet that the cat thinks she needs to try to find it. And of course when the cat goes into the closet, the dog has to get up to see what's going on. And then I have to get up and get the dog and the cat out of the closet.

...all for a little cricket...

While that reads funny, I'm sure it wasn't at the time when you're trying to get some sleep!

Thankfully, they haven't invaded our sleeping quarters (I guess I should say yet) but yesterday the lawn was mowed and while many a cricket were silenced, we still hear some just not as much. Like I said, I don't mind them so much being in our yard...just stay outta my house! Some people find the chirping soothing, but I don't when it sounds like it's coming through a bullhorn because they are in the house.

I've read that just spraying regular insect spray around the house would work. That or mothballs or a garlic spray. The last two, I think is a case of the cure being worse than the disease. I had a problem with ant hills and found that a concoction of red pepper, clove, and boiling water was a good way to get rid of them and prevent them from returning. It did a good job. But I think I'll probably just go the old fashioned chemi-kill route for these big boys this time. I found out that someone used Simple Green and it got the job done. So, hey...looks like there's a use for it after all.

I have a detached garage as well and I've found one or two in there. Getting close to my cars? Now it's personal

fstb88 · 09-12-07, 07:16

I would use grits for the ants. they take them to eat and when they digest them bam they blow up. But the cricket I'am having a problem with aswell and so far only my shoe is killing hem and nothing will keep them away. Not even the chemical sprays I used.

Dailyshine · 09-12-07, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstb88

I would use grits for the ants. they take them to eat and when they digest them bam they blow up. But the cricket I'am having a problem with aswell and so far only my shoe is killing hem and nothing will keep them away. Not even the chemical sprays I used.

Yeah, I heard about the grits solution too. I was already getting good results with the clove, red pepper concoction, so I didn't bother. Besides, I'd rather fix grits with some shredded cheese topped with eggs, maybe some sausage and biscuits. Mmmmm.

But yeah, same with me...so far the mower and my shoes seemed to have thin out their ranks and at least keep them out of the house. Especially since they eat just about anything.

We do plan on putting down some mulch around the perimeter of the house in the future. Having the lawn not come up right to the house is one way to stop critters from finding shelter near it where they could find their way in. Then there's making sure they don't have an entrance point in the first place.

Scottwax · 09-12-07, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dailyshine

The pic doesn't seem to be showing on this end...

What is it? A snake? Lizard?

It is showing for me (thumbnail-just click on it). That is a picture of my Rose Hair tarantula. She loves crickets.

Dailyshine · 09-13-07, 07:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

It is showing for me (thumbnail-just click on it). That is a picture of my Rose Hair tarantula. She loves crickets.

Oh, okay. Yeah, I'm sure she'll help. Hope she likes field crickets. Big, black ugly looking things...

I see access denied where the thumbnail should be. When I click on it, it takes me to the Upshizzle site and says I have to login

LADNAR · 09-13-07, 09:36

Around here we use a product called TEMPO, mix with water in sprayer of some sort. It is food safe product so safe to apply any place in house and outside for both pets and people. the local COOP grain, feed mill has it here, also BOMGAARS has it(farm and home store). About $45 for 6-8 oz bottle the should last a few years. Very cheap in the long run, some residual, GOOD stuff. RANDAL

Yal · 09-13-07, 09:49

I know what you mean lol

Is it just me or are they much more crickets this year? We actually caught one in the house last week! The sound doesn't bother me but they are unusually loud this year.