Crickets are Back Again!!

Last time we identified the various species of crickets, so this time we will look at how to control and eliminate them around the house and yard.

IPM (Integrated Pest Management) for cricket infestations: Several steps can be taken to remove crickets:

Remove harborage: Eliminate potential harborage such as high grass or weeds, ground cover, leaves and other organic debris. Remove stacked bricks, stones, lumber and firewood stored near the home.
Exclude them: Make sure doors and windows are fit tightly. Caulk or screen any potential entry point around plumbing or electrical wires. Screen crawl spaces vents.
Eliminate water sources: Replace any sources of moisture, including leaky plumbing and faucets. Make sure that downspouts divert rain water away from the structure.
Reduce outdoor lighting: Install insect repellant “Yellow” Bug Lights or sodium vapor lamps, which are less attractive, and move outdoor lights away from the structure.
Use mechanical control measures: Place glue traps in and around entrances.
Treat with insecticide: Several choices are available and First Response Pest Control switches them up frequently to prevent crickets from developing an immune. It is important to select the appropriate formulation for each situation. Use dust in voids, attics and inaccessible areas. Wettable powders and microencapsulated products are useful because they stay on the surface and are readily picked up by a host of insects including the cricket. Using a granule as a perimeter treatment is always a good idea, be sure you don’t forget to water them in, this is especially true if you have mole crickets. Baits are also effective, especially on heavy ground cover or landscape bed.
Don't forget to call First Response Pest Control at 214-864-0669 should you have any questions.