There are few people who like spiders--and, yes, we did say spiders. Why? We'll explain in a moment. But first, imagine yourself going down into your basement and finding one of your walls covered in spiders. Does the thought make your skin crawl? For most of us, it does. Even though the majority of spiders that get into our homes won't do much more than leave a tiny red welt on our skin, there is just something unsettling about having a cellar full of them. The problem with camel crickets is that they look like spiders, especially in low light conditions. And, if it isn't bad enough having dozens (or even hundreds) of spider-looking bugs in your cellar, camel crickets are wired with a self-defense trait that makes them leap directly at a creature they see as a threat. So, if you have camel crickets, we're guessing you want them gone. And, if you haven't gotten them yet this year, you'd probably like to know how to keep them out. Here are some tips that should help.
Dry Things Out: If you have camel crickets in your basement, cellar, attic, or other locations of your home, you might be able to drive them out by drying things up. These insects prefer locations of high humidity or moisture. You can do this by installing dehumidifiers and fans to damp locations and areas of high humidity within your home.
Sticky Traps: It is possible to thin the population of camel crickets through the use of sticky traps, but bear in mind that this seldom eliminates an infestation. It just helps to control how many crickets you have.
Pest Control: The use of EPA approved pest control agents in strategic locations is the best way to resolve a camel cricket infestation. For this, we recommend hiring a professional pest technician.
Reduce or remove areas of moisture near your foundation walls.
Move wood piles at least 20 feet away from your home.
Seal gaps, cracks, and holes in your exterior walls. Pay close attention to gaps around pipes and electrical conduit.
Cover vents that give access to your home.
Fall is a time when camel crickets are motivated to come inside. Now is the time to protect your exterior walls. It is also a great time to start year-round pest service for your home. If you're in our Albany service area, connect with Thomas Pest Services. We'll help you create a barrier pests can't get through. Then, you won't have to worry about pests in fall, or any other time of year. Reach out to us today for immediate assistance.