Hello,
Thank you for the very good information about camel back crickets on your website. I recently moved to Alexandria, VA from the Detroit area and these bugs have me freaked out, to say the least!
We moved into this townhouse on October 1st of this year. I had the exterminator ( can’t remember who exactly, but the big name guys) come treat in the beginning of November after encountering 2 crickets in one day. My husband had killed another earlier in the morning. Previous to that we may have seen 1 or 2. Since the exterminator was here I have seen 3 dead on the glue traps. But today I saw another, and maybe 2. The others have been killed, but I had bad aim today, so I don’t know if the 2nd one I saw was actually the same guy.
Do we have an infestation?
And, I was planning to buy the Niban because I am pregnant and my Dr says no insecticide. Is this the route you would recommend? Also, I have a 2 y.o. in the house, but the website said the Niban is safe if ingested in small amounts. Not that I plan to feed it to her… she is pretty good about not eating things she finds on the floor and I don’t think it will be anywhere she could access, but you never know with 2 year olds!
Thank you so much in advance!
K.G.
First, you clearly have a camelback cricket problem and quite possibly an infestation. The general rule is once you start seeing 1-2 a month, there is a problem. As explained in our CAMEL BACK CRICKET CONTROL article, they don’t like leaving their dark nest sites. When they do, it’s a sure sign of active nesting and I think you’re past that point based on the above information.
Since you didn’t mention the type of house you have, it’s tough for me to guess if they are coming from the outside “in” or if they’re living up under the house in the basement or crawl space. Ultimately, the nest site should be treated if you wish to stop the sightings for good. But based on the current scenario, I’d say the NIBAN FG and some GLUE TRAPS would be adequate and should keep things under control. Tiny amounts placed out discreetly in areas where the crickets are being seen should have an impact on them for sure.
If the problem persists or gets worse over the next 6 months, try to get the key nest location identified and then treated. Many times this can be in areas of the home where no one goes so there won’t be any danger or risk to the occupants following the treatment. In other words, you shouldn’t have to spray the living areas to get rid of the camel backs so if the bait and glue traps don’t provide adequate control, a more direct approach may be needed. If you have further questions or concerns, please give us a call on our toll free at 1-800-877-7290.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Cricket Control Article: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page421.html
Niban: http://www.bugspraycart.com/bait/granule/niban-fg-3-lb
Glue Traps: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page1286.html
Catherine says
I have been seeing these camelback crickets for a while in my basement apt. I have been seeing baby crickets as well as full size adult crickets. I have been caulking the door, which had small openings along the frame. I am trying to seal off areas, but this is tough. I have 2 children, 3 and 9, and 2 cats, 1 guinea pig. What could I possibly do that will not harm my children or my pets?
Tech Support says
@Catherine: Go with the Niban and Glue Traps listed above. Both are very safe to use and when applied properly pose no danger to children or pets. The key is making small doses in the areas where the crickets are being seen. When done properly, it’s almost impossible to see the Niban unless you know it’s there and you know what to look for. And if you know where they’re coming from, it’s smart to treat in the voids and spaces where they like to hide as our article explains. These treatments post no hazard since they’re being done where people and pets don’t go. You should also set out traps to help monitor the problem and alert you to where it’s most active.