Camel crickets, often called cave crickets or spider crickets, are commonly encountered in the damp, dark corners of many homes. They are close relatives of true crickets but have adapted to environments where moisture and darkness are abundant.
Physical Characteristics and Common Names
Camel crickets are identified by their distinctive, arched back, which gives them their common name. Their bodies are typically light to dark brown, often mottled, and measure between half an inch to one and a half inches in length.
They possess extremely long, slender antennae that can be up to twice the length of their body, which they use to navigate dark environments. Their long, powerful hind legs are adapted for jumping, leading to the nickname “spider cricket.” Unlike true crickets, they are adults without wings and lack the sound-producing organs to chirp.
Natural Habitat and Indoor Attraction
In nature, camel crickets thrive in cool, dark, and highly moist environments. Outdoors, they are found hidden under logs, stones, leaf litter, woodpiles, or in drainage pipes. These locations provide the consistently high humidity levels necessary for their survival.
Camel crickets are typically driven indoors when outdoor conditions become hot and dry. They seek refuge in basements, cellars, crawl spaces, and laundry rooms where moisture is consistently present. The high humidity and cool temperatures found in these below-ground areas make homes an attractive sanctuary.
Impact on the Home Environment
Camel crickets are primarily nuisance pests that pose no medical danger, as they do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. They are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on decaying plant matter, fungi, and small insects. When indoor food sources are scarce, they may damage household goods.
They have been known to chew on fabrics, such as clothing and linens, as well as paper products and cardboard boxes stored in damp areas. The most common distress they cause stems from their erratic defensive behavior when startled. They utilize their powerful legs to jump quickly and erratically, often leaping directly toward the source of the disturbance.
Prevention and Control Strategies
Preventing an infestation centers on controlling excess moisture, the primary attractant. Homeowners should use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements and crawl spaces to reduce humidity. Fixing leaky pipes, dripping faucets, or foundation cracks that allow water intrusion will also remove a significant attractant.
Sealing potential entry points is crucial for management. Inspect the foundation, windows, and doors for cracks or gaps, and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping to block access. Outside the home, remove harborage sites close to the foundation, such as woodpiles, thick mulch, and leaf litter. For immediate indoor removal, a vacuum cleaner is an effective, non-chemical method. Insecticides can be used, but their efficacy is limited because the crickets hide in inaccessible, dark, and moist voids.