Camel crickets are a frequent surprise in basements. You move a box or step into the laundry area in your Clark home, and something brown with long legs jumps straight at you. They look strange, and they can be unsettling in large numbers, but they're manageable once you understand what draws them in. Below, we'll cover what camel crickets are, the problems they cause and the steps that actually keep them out. If you'd rather have a pro handle it, our cricket control service is built for exactly this.
What Camel Crickets Are
Camel crickets, also called cave crickets or spider crickets, get their name from their humped backs. They're light tan to dark brown, often with darker bands, and they have very long hind legs and antennae that can be longer than their bodies. They have no wings, so unlike house crickets and field crickets, they don't chirp.
They're also jumpers. When startled, a camel cricket leaps, and because it can't see well, it often jumps toward whatever disturbed it. That's why so many people think they're being attacked. They aren't. It's a panic jump, not a charge.
Camel crickets are most active at night. During the day they rest in dark corners, behind stored boxes, under shelving and around the base of water heaters and sump pumps. If you see a few during the day, there are usually more hiding nearby. Checking those spots with a flashlight is a quick way to gauge how big the problem really is.
Why They End Up In Your Basement
Outdoors, camel crickets live under rocks, logs, leaf piles, mulch and in other cool, damp, shady spots. Your home can offer the same conditions, so they wander in, usually when weather outside turns hot and dry or as it cools in the fall. Common places to find them include:
- Unfinished basements and laundry rooms
- Crawl spaces with bare soil or poor ventilation
- Garages, especially along the bottom edge of the door
- Window wells, sump pits and utility rooms
- Sheds and areas under decks or porches
They get in through gaps under doors, cracks in the foundation, openings around pipes and vents, and loose basement window frames.
The Problems Camel Crickets Cause
Camel crickets aren't dangerous, but they aren't harmless guests either.
- Damage to stored items. They're scavengers and will chew on fabric, paper, cardboard and other materials, especially when those items are damp or soiled. Boxes stored on a basement floor are at the most risk.
- Numbers can build up. In a damp basement or crawl space, a few crickets can become dozens over time.
- A sign of excess moisture. A steady camel cricket population usually means the space is damp enough to attract other moisture pests too, such as silverfish and centipedes.
- The fright factor. For many families, the jumping alone is reason enough to want them gone.
Camel Crickets Vs. House Crickets
It helps to know which cricket you're dealing with, because they prefer different conditions.
| Camel Cricket | House Cricket | |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Humpbacked, no wings | Flatter, with wings |
| Sound | Silent | Males chirp, often at night |
| Where you see it | Basements, crawl spaces, garages | Living areas, near lights, warm spots |
| What draws it in | Cool, damp, dark spaces | Warmth and outdoor lighting |
Are They Harmful To Your Family?
No. Camel crickets don't bite or sting people, and they aren't known to spread disease to people or pets. Their impact is on stored belongings and on your comfort. That said, a basement full of them is a clear signal that moisture and entry points need attention.
How To Keep Camel Crickets Out
- Dry out the space. Run a dehumidifier in the basement, fix leaks and make sure gutters and downspouts carry water away from the foundation.
- Seal gaps at ground level. Add door sweeps and weatherstripping, caulk foundation cracks and seal openings around pipes and vents. Our home pest proofing service covers the spots that are hard to reach.
- Clean up outside. Move firewood, stones, leaf piles and heavy mulch away from the foundation.
- Get boxes off the floor. Store items on shelves in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard.
- Use sticky traps. Set glue traps along walls and corners in the basement to catch crickets and show you where they're coming in.
When To Call A Professional
If you're catching crickets every day, they keep coming back after you've sealed and dried things out, or the problem is in a crawl space you'd rather not crawl into, it's time for help. EcoFusion's NJ DEP-licensed technicians inspect for moisture and entry points, treat with EPA-registered eco-safe products and recommend fixes that last. For damp areas under the house, our crawl space pest control service goes right to the source.
Camel crickets are more of a nuisance than a threat, but they're a reliable sign that a basement or crawl space is too damp and too open. Dry it out, seal it up and clear the clutter, and most Clark homeowners see them disappear. If they keep jumping out at you, EcoFusion Pest Control can find out why and fix it.