Swarms of crickets are a phenomenon that occurs every fall. Swarms of hundreds or thousands of insects can become a serious pest nuisance for homeowners and businesses.
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Swarms of crickets (usually thousands of crickets congregating in one place, such as around buildings in cities or suburbs) can be alarming. It can be a nuisance. But like most irritations, they will pass with time.
Withy Brown, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service integrated pest management specialist in the Texas A&M Entomology Department, says that while the annual phenomenon can be surprising, there’s no need to fear and its presence is only temporary. said.
“These swarms occur every year in late summer and to some extent in fall,” she says. “Crickets don’t sting or bite, so they’re just a nuisance, especially if the male comes into your home and chirps to attract females.”
Crickets, cool front, bright light
When and where crickets are seen appears patchy and random, Brown said. It is somewhat random, as one place or region may see an incredibly large number of crickets in one year, and none at all the next.
But the timing and causes of field cricket buildup aren’t so random, she says.
According to Brown, activity increases at that time of year due to cold fronts. Like many of us, crickets don’t like the heat. They hatch in early spring, become adults in three months, and seek a cool place by the time the summer heat hits.
They forage for things like dead insects and plants at night and stay relatively unnoticed during the heat of the day, she said. Cold fronts in the final weeks of summer and early fall change the situation.
Light, another factor in swarming, contributes to large numbers of crickets congregating when they become active. Buildings that are brightly lit from dusk until dawn attract them.
“You’ll notice that they tend to congregate around the front entrances of gas stations, car dealerships, and other businesses and places that have bright lights on all night,” she says. “If you notice crickets around your home, it could be related to the lighting.”
seasonal flock of crickets
Brown said there can be multiple generations of crickets in a year, especially in warmer areas of the state. Warm winters can also affect the number of cricket generations per year.
Like most insects, cricket populations increase, peak, and decline each season. Periods of high cricket population usually last for 4 to 6 weeks before numbers begin to decline.
In the meantime, turning off unnecessary lights can reduce the chance of crickets flocking to your home or business, Brown said. There are also special bulbs that are resistant to insects.
“Attracting crickets can allow them to enter buildings and homes, especially if there are poor seals around doors and windows,” she says. “Large numbers of dead crickets can create a foul odor, so it’s a good idea to turn off lights as much as possible during the transition from summer to autumn.”
