Crickets

June 6, 2022 5:20 PM

I live on the fourth floor of an apartment building in an urban area. Why do I hear tons of crickets when I open the window at night? I’m surrounded by buildings, there’s no grass or trees. I’ve never heard them in all the years I’ve lived here. I actually don’t care why. My true concern is..

Can they get in my window? Where are they? All I care about is keeping them out of my apartment. I keep thinking if they’re so loud, they might be close enough to hop in. Where are these crickets gathering among the buildings?

It sounds stupid, I know. But I’ve seen one in here before and wondered how he got in. I never want to see another one. When they jump, I scream.

posted by dianeF to Home & Garden (11 answers total)

They can live in and under walls and buildings. It was nightmarish when it happened to me, and I don't usually mind crickets. There's sprays you can get that definitely kill them. Let me see if I still have the research and can give you a brand name.
posted by Ahniya at 5:55 PM on June 6, 2022 [2 favorites]

Common house crickets can fly, so if you're leaving your doors or windows open, sure, they can get in. If you have a balcony, check under any plants or furniture; crickets like to hide under things to avoid the light.
posted by SPrintF at 5:55 PM on June 6, 2022 [1 favorite]

Do you have a balcony? If so, they are there. Keep your windows closed and they probably won’t come inside.
posted by all about eevee at 6:06 PM on June 6, 2022 [1 favorite]

It shouldn't be too expensive to get a screen or screens for your window(s) to help keep them out.
posted by TimHare at 8:39 PM on June 6, 2022 [5 favorites]

You might have a neighbour with a pet lizard or snake or tarantula etc, who buys live crickets and keeps them in the house as a food source? They’re SUPER loud when you have a whole bucket of them in the closet.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:50 PM on June 6, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks to everyone! I had no idea they could fly, what a nightmare. I didn’t hear them at all last night. Maybe they were on the move, or got fed to a reptile. My windows open outwards so no screens, or that would be the solution. I’d still be interested in cricket spray if you find it.. Thank you again!
posted by dianeF at 5:13 AM on June 7, 2022

Are you sure it's crickets? Electric lines can emit "chirping" that sounds like crickets. You're possibly not hearing it during the day because of the din of the city?
posted by Dotty at 6:32 AM on June 7, 2022 [1 favorite]

You can put a screen in most windows, even if they open outward. It's relatively cheap to have one made at a hardware store. Take a picture of the window and measure it and see if you can have a hardware store make one.
posted by Mid at 6:33 AM on June 7, 2022 [2 favorites]

I had a large infestation last year. They're harmless and I just kept sweeping out the kitchen door. But you're going to have to go another route. You're going to have to kill them, so get an exterminator. If you don't, the noise they will start to make will drive you insane.
posted by james33 at 7:19 AM on June 7, 2022 [1 favorite]

It sounds like you may have a lot of them so this may not apply. When I've had one in the house driving me crazy, I hunt it down. I sit quietly on a stool at about where I think it is until it starts chirping again. Gradually home in on the noise. When you find the cricket, catch it with your hand or in a jar. They're not that hard to catch. Put it outside.
posted by H21 at 12:24 PM on June 7, 2022 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: If these crickets want to be carried out in a jar, they came to the wrong place.
posted by dianeF at 4:09 PM on June 7, 2022 [2 favorites]