Mysterious clicking sounds at night often come from insects. Understanding which creatures produce these sounds and why helps identify the source.
The Main Nocturnal Clickers
Crickets are common sources of nighttime clicking. Male crickets, such as the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and the field cricket (Gryllus pennsylvanicus), are well-known for their chirping sounds. House crickets are typically yellowish-brown and about ¾ to 1 inch long, while field crickets are slightly larger, up to 1¼ inches, and usually black or brownish. Both species possess long, thin antennae.
Another insect family responsible for distinct clicking noises is the click beetle (Elateridae). These beetles have elongated, somewhat flattened bodies, often appearing segmented into two main parts. Most click beetles are dull in color, ranging from black to brown, though some can have red or yellow markings, and their size varies from a quarter-inch to 2.5 inches. They are named for their unique ability to produce a snapping sound.
Understanding the Clicking Sounds
Crickets produce their characteristic chirping through stridulation. Only male crickets chirp, rubbing a file-like structure on one forewing against a scraper on the other. This action creates vibrations, resulting in their distinct sound. These chirps serve multiple purposes, primarily as mating calls to attract females, but also as territorial warnings to other males. Different species of crickets have unique songs, with variations in pitch, tempo, and rhythm.
Click beetles, in contrast, generate their sound using a specialized mechanism located on their underside between their thorax and abdomen. When a click beetle is on its back or feels threatened, it can arch its body and suddenly snap a spine into a notch, producing a loud “click” and propelling itself into the air. This mechanism is primarily used to right themselves when overturned and can also serve as a defense to startle potential predators. The sound is a byproduct of this rapid physical action.
Identifying the Source of the Click
Distinguishing between these nocturnal insect sounds involves listening for specific characteristics. Cricket chirps are generally rhythmic and can vary in pitch and speed depending on the species and temperature. For example, field crickets often produce pulsed chirps with 3-5 pulses per chirp. The consistent, often musical, pattern of a cricket’s song is distinct from the single, sharp snap of a click beetle.
The clicking sound of a click beetle is usually a singular, abrupt snap, often followed by the beetle flipping over. If the sound is intermittent and sounds like a sharp “snap,” it is more likely a click beetle attempting to right itself or escape. If the sound is a continuous, patterned song, it is characteristic of a cricket. Determining if the sound originates indoors or outdoors can also offer clues; crickets often seek shelter inside homes as temperatures cool, while click beetles may enter accidentally.
Coexisting with Nighttime Noises
If these sounds become disruptive, several non-harmful methods can manage their presence. For crickets, sealing entry points like gaps around doors and windows can prevent them from coming indoors. Keeping outdoor areas tidy by regularly mowing lawns and clearing debris also reduces attractive habitats near the home. Using natural methods like sticky traps or placing shallow bowls with molasses and water can help catch crickets.
Click beetles typically enter homes accidentally, often attracted by lights. Reducing outdoor lighting or using yellow or sodium vapor lights can deter them. Sealing cracks and gaps in foundations, walls, and around windows and doors can also help prevent their entry. Regular vacuuming can remove any click beetles that do make their way inside. These methods focus on exclusion and gentle removal rather than eradication.