:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/crickets-in-basement-GettyImages-1478781003-1f870f3378e145eea52f22b1e4794c91.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "5 Mistakes That Could Be Attracting Crickets to Your Basement")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/crickets-in-basement-GettyImages-1478781003-1f870f3378e145eea52f22b1e4794c91.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "5 Mistakes That Could Be Attracting Crickets to Your Basement")
No one wants insects crawling around in their home, especially 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 with 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 out 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 find most moisture in unfinished areas of the home, specifically basements.”
Thomas Peters, director of landscape and horticulture at Serenbe, agrees and says if you see crickets in the basement, it “is a sign that drainage needs to be improved around the home.”
Outdoor Light Sources Are Attracting Crickets
If you have outdoor light sources, such as flood lights that go on at night, this can help attract crickets. Neitzke stresses that it’s best to “minimize any outdoor light sources at night.”
There Are Unsealed Entry Points
If your basement isn’t finished, you may have some unsealed cracks or holes that can allow crickets easy access to your home. Neitzke says it’s important to “seal any possible entry points on the home” to help keep crickets from finding their way in.
The Grass Is Overgrown
Keeping up with your landscaping—“specifically tall growth near the base of the home”—is important when you want to keep crickets away, says Neitzke. When the lawn is overgrown, it can provide easy shelter for these pesky critters and extra moisture for them to enjoy.
There Isn’t Sufficient Drainage
If you experience a lot of roof water that is not draining properly through the gutters, Peters says this can lead to more crickets since these insects are attracted to moisture.
Tips for Keeping Crickets Out of Your Basement
If you notice a theme, it’s to avoid excess moisture in order to keep crickets at bay. Peters says that improving the drainage around the home is important, such as “guttering or French drains that carry roof water away.”
He adds Harris roach tablets can also help rid the home of crickets. According to Peters, these particular tablets are “borax based rather than chemical pesticides, which would leave unwanted toxic residues in the home.”
Eliminating the humidity in the basement is also key. According to Neitzke, it is the “most important step to avoid attracting crickets to the home” and this can be done by “using a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in your home and prevent cricket and other insect activity.”
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