:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/crickets-in-basement-GettyImages-1478781003-1f870f3378e145eea52f22b1e4794c91.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
No one wants to have bugs hanging around their house, especially the ones that make noise. Crickets can be a nuisance and we may be allowing them into the basement of our homes without even knowing it.
We spoke to some experts in the field to understand the mistakes we might be making when it comes to attracting crickets to our basements. Plus, we learned what we can do differently to keep these insects away from now on.
Your basement is too damp
“Like most insects, crickets are attracted to moisture,” says Melissa Neitzke, general manager of Wildlife Management Services in Minneapolis. “We found the most moisture in the unfinished areas of the house, specifically the basements.”
Thomas Peters, director of landscaping and horticulture at Serenbe, agrees, saying that if you see crickets in the basement, “it’s a sign that drainage needs to be improved throughout the house.”
Outdoor light sources attract crickets
If you have outdoor light sources, such as spotlights that turn on at night, this can help attract crickets. Neitzke emphasizes that it is best to “minimize outside light sources at night.”
There are open entry points
If your basement is unfinished, you may have some cracks or unsealed holes that allow crickets to easily enter your home. Neitzke says it’s important to “seal all possible entry points into the house” to prevent crickets from finding their way in.
The grass is too tall
Neitzke says it’s important to keep your yard in good shape, “especially tall trees near the foundation of the house,” if you want to keep crickets away. When grass gets too long, it can provide easy shelter for these pesky critters and extra moisture for them to enjoy.
There is not enough drainage
Peters says if there is a lot of water on the roof that doesn’t drain properly through the gutters, this can lead to more crickets, as these insects are attracted to moisture.
Tips to keep crickets out of your basement
If you notice a pattern, it’s that you need to avoid excess moisture to keep crickets at bay. Peters says it’s important to improve drainage around the house, such as “gutters or French drains that carry water away from the roof.”
He adds that Harris cockroach tablets can also help eliminate crickets from the house. According to Peters, these particular pills are “based on borax rather than chemical pesticides, which would leave unwanted toxic residue in the home.”
Removing moisture from the basement is also key. According to Neitzke, it is the “single most important step to avoid attracting crickets into the home” and this can be done by “using a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity in the home and prevent cricket and other insect activity.”
