If you don’t want your property destroyed by these pests, then check out the tips I’ll drop on how to get rid of spider crickets.

Have you ever had a large-sized crawling insect leap into your direction before? I mean unexpectedly? If you have, then you can bet it’s a spider cricket.

These large insects can become a problem in your home if they are in large enough numbers.

Extermination Guide – Controlling Camel / Cave Crickets

These large insects are also called cave crickets or camel crickets.

Some simply call them Sprickets. They are hunch-backed like a camel, have long legs like a spider, and have all the extra features of cricket, making chirping noises included.

Needless to say, these 4-inch tall bugs are not the prettiest insects you will come across.

Why Do Camel Crickets Jump At You?

These insects scare an unsuspecting person with their leaping habits. When they are scared, they leap towards you, instead of away from you.

That strange behavior is pretty hard to explain.

Are Spider Crickets Dangerous?

Luckily, spider crickets don’t bite and do not spread diseases, but they leave behind droppings (frass) all over your house, including on the walls. Mice also love eating them, so they can attract rodents into your home as well.

More annoyingly, these bugs have a habit of chewing holes into wood, clothes, beddings, and your carpet.

Spider crickets are in love with dark and damp crawl spaces. They don’t like being in the light so you can find them in places like the back of your washing machine, in the dark corners of your cupboards, and under moist toilet and kitchen sinks.

Not to scare you, but you could open the door to your cupboard and one will spring itself towards you unexpectedly!

Since we all agree that it’s an unpleasant experience to have, then we can also agree that they are not welcome in the home.

How To Get Rid Of Spider Crickets In Apartments

Follow these tips to locate and exterminate spider crickets.

  • Locate Their Hideouts

If you notice large insect droppings (frass) on the carpet, furniture, books, clothes, or walls, then you might have spider crickets in your home.

The first step to getting rid of them is locating where they are hiding.

Remember, they love dark corners so don’t go looking for them in open, well-lit spaces. Instead, check for them under your kitchen sink (especially if it’s leaking), cupboards, beneath your bathtub, and other dark and damp areas.

They are large insects so if they are there, it wouldn’t be difficult to spot them. But, you have to brace yourself for a leap as you peep into these dark spaces.

After you have identified where they are hiding, you can prepare for your next move.

  • Call An Insect Exterminator

A person with a phobia for insects would never agree to go near spider crickets, especially when that person knows they can leap towards them.

If you’re such a person, then the logical thing to do is call a professional exterminator to get rid of them. Keep in mind that this is more expensive than getting rid of them yourself, as the exterminators will charge you a large sum of money.

Regardless, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind paying the extra bucks if that would mean avoiding contact with these large insects.

If you’re not afraid of fighting the spider crickets yourself, then you can do the following –

  • Use Cardboard Glue Traps

Glue traps can be used to catch many things of creeping bugs, and they will work well against spider crickets.

The good thing about using your traps is that they are safe around children and pets, as long as they don’t touch the glue and put their fingers in their mouths.

Luckily, spider crickets love hiding in small, dark spaces, which will be most likely out of reach of your kids and pets, so placing traps in those areas are safe.

Go to a store and buy as many cardboard glue traps as you need. If you find spider cricket activities in about 3 rooms, then you can buy 3 glue traps and place them very close to their hiding spots.

Check on your board the following day to see how many you’ve caught. If the board is full, you should empty it and return it to its former position.

Keep doing this until you can lo longer find any spider crickets in your home.

  • Get A Predator

Spider crickets can grow up to 4 inches at full maturity, this means they are large enough to be visible and chased.

A predator that would love chasing and killing them is a cat. Since these crickets are fond of hopping around, it would be impossible for a cat to resist chasing and pawing it down.

You can get two cats to make hunting a lot faster.

  • Suck Them Up With A Vacuum

If you notice one or two spider crickets at the back of your washing machine or cupboard, then you can simply get a vacuum and suck them up.

It’s true they are large insects, but not large enough to resist the suction of the vacuum.

This method is effective if you have only a few spider crickets in your home. It is very ineffective against a full-blown infestation.

  • Drown Them

Get a bowl of water and add some liquid soap to it. Shake well to produce a foam and place the bowl in areas where the spider crickets are active.

There is a big chance they will crawl or hop into the bowl since they are fond of exploring small spaces in search of food.

The good thing is, when they hop or crawl into the foamy water, it will be impossible for them to crawl out. Eventually, they will drown.

Do not fill up the bowl to the rim, give a few inches of space between the rim of the bowl and the top of the water.

If the water level reaches the rim of the bowl, they can easily swim out. But is there are a few inches between the water level and the rim, the soap will make it too slippery for them to climb out.

They will tire, ingest soapy water, and die.

This method requires patience though, as it may take several days for the spider crickets to fall for the trap.

  • Use Borax

Borax is one of the most reliable weapons you can use against insects and other pests. They will kill spider crickets if they make contact with it, and all it will take is a few minutes.

Buy a box of borax and sprinkle around the areas where the spider crickets usually gather and leave.

All you have to do afterward is wait for the bugs to come in contact with it and the borax will do its job.

I have to warn you though, the borax contains toxic elements and can be dangerous to humans if ingested. For this reason, be sure to store the box in a place where your kids or pets cannot access.

Also, keep your kids and pets away from rooms where you have spring the powder so they don’t accidentally make contact with it.

  • Swat Them

For those who are not scared of coming in close contact with spider crickets, then you can use the old fashioned method of swatting.

All you need to do is grab your fly swatter when you see them, walk up to where they are, and strike.

How To Keep Spider Crickets Away From Your Home

After dealing with a spider cricket infestation, you wouldn’t want them or their friends to come back. For this reason, you have to take preventive measures.

Here’s what you can do –

  • Keep Your Kitchen Area Clean

If you have a trash bin filled with decaying organic matter, then you’re inviting the spider crickets inside your home.

Always take out the trash and clear out piles of paper or junk on the floor. The less of this you have around your home, the less the number of spider crickets you will find.

  • Reduce Moisture

If an area is dark, tight, and has some moisture, then it’s perfect for spider crickets to hide.

Tighten up any loose pipes around your kitchen and bathroom area to keep moisture at its barest minimum.

You can also a dehumidifier to reduce moisture. Opening up your windows is also a good idea, as that will improve air circulation around your home.

  • Seal Off The Cracks

If there are sizeable cracks within your walls or wooden structures (like your kitchen cabinet), then you may find spider crickets hiding there.

Get some caulk and seal off all openings. You can also call a carpenter to fix the cracks in your wooden structures.

If the spider crickets cannot find any dark space to hide, they will be less interested in remaining in your home.

Conclusion

So crickets do not bite, yet they can cause a real mess at home.

I hope these tips on how to get rid of spider crickets have been helpful.

Good luck!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *