7 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Crickets Inside Your House

Try one of these 7 methods to get rid of crickets naturally.

While you may find the sound of crickets chirping on a warm summer evening peaceful, chances are, you’d prefer to hear these insects outside rather than inside your house.

If you think crickets have made their way into your home, there are a few steps you can take on your own before calling an exterminator.

Read on to learn how to get rid of crickets in your house naturally and quickly. Plus, we have a few tips on how you can prevent crickets from getting in.

How to Tell If There Are Crickets in the House

Crickets are attracted to warm, moist areas where they feel safe. Pet food and water, fruit bowls on the kitchen counter, and leaky pipes can all attract crickets to your home.

Clutter near and within your home also attracts crickets because it gives them more areas to hide.

You’re most likely to hear these insects in your home before you see them. Crickets are nocturnal creatures, so you’ll likely hear chirping at night if they are inside your home.

Check under sinks, trash cans, basement closets, and other dark, moist areas to uncover where the crickets are hiding.

How to Get Rid of Crickets in the House Naturally

Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a white powder made from algae skeletons that is an effective insecticide that’s also safe to use around children and pets.

When crickets, or other insects, come in contact with diatomaceous earth, they become dehydrated and die.

Sprinkle it indoors and outdoors near your baseboards and crevices where insects may be entering.

Create Molasses Traps

Mix three tablespoons of molasses with two cups of water and distribute the mixture into open jars or containers around your home.

Crickets are attracted to the smell of molasses and will find a way into the sweet-smelling jars and then drown.

Try Chili Powder

Crickets are repelled by spicy scents, which makes chili powder an excellent option to get rid of crickets naturally.

Create a mixture of chili powder, two cups of water, and a few drops of dish soap. Spray the chili powder mixture at your home’s entry points, outdoor plants, and soil to keep these pesky creatures at bay.

Use Essential Oils

Like many other insects, crickets hate the smell of peppermint. Mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle.

Then, spray areas where crickets like to hide, such as underneath your sink, basement, and at your home’s entry points, to drive the critters out.

Rely on Your Pets

Your furry friend might be all too willing to help you get rid of crickets in the house. Cats’ and dogs’ instincts naturally lead them to want to catch these hopping insects, so they may do most of the hard work for you.

You can also prevent crickets from getting in by setting up a bird feeder near your home to attract birds, who will happily catch the crickets for a meal.

Vacuum Cricket Hiding Spots

Once you’ve discovered crickets, vacuum any areas you’ve seen them hide to get rid of any remaining eggs or droppings left behind.

This will prevent you from having additional crickets inside your house in the future. Empty the vacuum into an outdoor trash can once you’re done.

Use Sticky Traps

Insect sticky traps or glue boards also work well to catch and get rid of crickets. You can purchase these traps at most home improvement or gardening stores.

Place them in moist, dark areas and you’ll see a few crickets (and maybe a few other insects) stuck on the boards before too long.

How to Keep Crickets Out of the House

Follow these steps in combination with some of the preventative measures above to prevent crickets from getting inside your home

Avoid Leaving Food and Water Out

As mentioned earlier, crickets are attracted to the possibility of food and water inside your house. Remove those attractants by keeping food away and sealed up in your refrigerator or pantry.

Don’t let water sit out for long—this includes your pet food and water, too.

Seal Up Cracks and Crevices

Crickets have a harder time getting inside your home if there aren’t any holes or cracks where they can slip through.

Seal up the area around your doors, windows, and foundation with caulk, or replace the weather strips to prevent bugs from finding their way into your home.

Keep Your Lawn Trimmed

Maintaining your lawn and landscaping is another great way to keep crickets out. When vegetation and grass is overgrown, it makes it easier for crickets to hide from predators and sneak into your house. Keep the grass short and bushes trimmed.

Keep Trash and Firewood at a Distance

Piles of trash, full trash cans, and firewood piles also attract crickets because they often hold food and are dark, moist areas. Regularly clear out your trash to avoid large piles and keep firewood at least 15-20 feet away from your house.

Read Next: How to Keep Crickets Out of Your Home

Read the original article on The Spruce.