At night, the sound of crickets outside can be soothing. But when you have crickets around your Dallas property, bad things can happen. Find out what dangers come with the presence of crickets.
Crickets In Dallas
There are a few different types of crickets you might encounter in Dallas. However, the most common type is the field cricket. This insect ranges between .6 inches and 1 inch long. It may be black, brown, or red. Another common cricket is the camel cricket. Typically light or dark brown, this type has no wings and a humpbacked appearance. Meanwhile, ground crickets are small and brownish-red in color. They have wings and also have bristles on their abdomen. Male crickets are the only ones that make noise. When you hear a chirping cricket, you can be confident that it's a male.
The Problem With Crickets
While most people view crickets as a nuisance, they don't see them as harmful pests. They get annoyed by the constant chirping but don't realize that crickets are more than a nuisance. Crickets can do some serious damage.
Crickets can get into your home and when they do, chaos ensues. They chew on fabric and may also spread disease. Although the diseases aren't fatal, they are hazardous to you and your family. They spread disease through their bites, feces, and physical contact. Typically, crickets don't bite humans. But they do have the ability to bite. The bite isn't very painful, but it's not pleasant. To protect yourself and your children from crickets, be proactive. Cricket protection is key.
Keeping Crickets Away
Are you ready to protect your home? If so, there are a few simple steps you can take to deter these pests.
1. Adjust Your Lighting
Most crickets are active at night. For some reason, they are highly attracted to lights. If you have bright lights outside your home or your indoor lights are visible from outside, crickets will wander towards your home. Then they are much more likely to enter and become a nuisance. If you want to keep them away, adjust your lighting. Use curtains in your windows and only use outdoor lights when necessary.
2. Seal Entry Points
As with most pests, an effective way of keeping crickets out is to eliminate entrances. Examine your doors and windows for gaps. If you find any gaps, seal them up with caulk or sealant. You should also check your foundation for cracks and other small openings. At times, there are holes around plumbing fixtures and wiring. Seal those up as tightly as possible.
3. Hire A Professional
Some people turn to DIY methods to keep crickets out. However, doing so is a challenge. Store-bought insect sprays aren't usually effective and may be a waste of money. Other methods, like making your home less appealing to crickets, are difficult to do.
For instance, you can try to seal up all potential entry points. But to the untrained eye, it's almost impossible to find and seal all the cracks and crevices. Crickets will find a way in. Adjusting your lighting is no guarantee, either. At times, you need your outdoor lights. You can't always keep your lights out, so you can't always keep crickets away.
The best way to keep crickets out of your home is with an ongoing relationship with a professional pest control company. With their tried-and-tested methods of pest control, they know how to effectively deter crickets. After inspecting your property, they will form a plan for protecting your home. Call the professionals at All-Safe for the best results.