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Camelback crickets or cave crickets are also known as “sprickets” since they look like spiders. They feed on fungi found on damp basement walls. Where fungus is unavailable, they eat carpet, wood, cardboard and even each other. There is even an Australian species of cave crickets that eats one of its legs when it’s hungry. They are found in caves as their name implies, but some species live in damp areas such as under stones, beneath rotten logs, and damp leaves. The crickets are wingless and have a brown color. They can measure up to about 5cm in length. They have a set of long antennae and large hind legs which guide them through darkened environments. The long limbs help them jump high and far, and their bodies are bent forward and humped at the back.
There are so many different species of camel back crickets, but they can’t be distinguished by their number of humps as they all have one.
The crickets can damage curtains and clothing irredeemably if they invade a home. They can also damage any other clothing they can find in the basement. They move indoors when the weather becomes hot and dry. These crickets are different from field crickets as they do not chirp. They do not make any sound that they can be identified with.
Camelback crickets always hide during the daytime, but an individual can tell if they have infested his/her home if their frass colors the walls dark brown. The frass is poop from crickets. When crickets migrate from the basement to search for food and moist areas to lay their eggs, they can be very scary to encounter. The crawlspace and basement need to be kept ventilated to make it unlivable for cave crickets. This is the best approach to get rid of these creatures. There are a few other methods to use in getting rid of them.
Ways to get rid of cave crickets
-Make sticky traps from duct tape, then add a piece of dry cat food.
Any food will work as well. Once the first cricket becomes stuck, they will all be trapped trying to eat the first cricket even before it dies. If you can’t make your sticky trap, search for “mouse sticky traps” in a store or on an online retailer store.
-Place bowls of soapy water in the basement.
Camelback crickets love water, so they will fall into the containers and drown. Soap is just a way to offset the waxy coating found on their exoskeletons so that they will sink faster. This is a great and clean way to get rid of them.
-Fix leaky pipes and faucets
Getting proper drainage will help in discouraging the invasion of camel back crickets. Even if they have infested a home before, they will not return if the home isn’t conducive for their reproduction.
-Locate the outside source of the crickets
If the crickets aren’t coming from your home, locate the source from outside the house. It could be wood piles, bricks, stone slabs, a stack of firewood, leaf debris, and boards. All these should not be placed close to the foundation of a house, and the cracks on the foundation should be sealed off with cement.
One of the keys items to focus on is the reduction of moisture in the home. Alliance Pest Services provides various programs to remove and treat for crickets in your home or office. Call today to find out more information on how to keep your home or office pest free.
