ccrkt_250px

Camel Crickets get their name from their humpbacked appearance, which is similar to that of a camel. They are nocturnal and very active at night, but hide during the day. Camel Crickets are found outdoors around buildings in cool, moist environments under mulch, woodpiles and leaf litter. Around the home, they can also be found underneath decks, in drainage pipes, wells, under sheds and air conditioner units.

Camel Crickets are able to contort themselves, since they have “no real body structure”, thus enabling them to squeeze into even the smallest cracks to get inside your home. Camel crickets are completely harmless. They do not sting or bite and are not known to carry any disease.

Characteristics

  • Camel Crickets have six legs
  • Camel Crickets have very poor eyesight
  • Adult Camel Crickets do not have wings
  • Camel Crickets feed on organic material
  • Camel Crickets have two very long antennae
  • Camel Crickets seek warm climates with high humidity
  • Camel Crickets are light tan and brown, about 1-1 1/4″ long
  • Camel Crickets are humpbacked with long, very enlarged hind legs
  • Camel Crickets are unable to create sound, and therefore unable to sing or chirp
  • When frightened, Camel Crickets leap as a defense mechanism to scare predators
  • Camel Crickets prefer moist, dark, and damp environments such as garages, basements and crawl spaces

Reproduction

  • Since adult Camel Crickets are unable to chirp, they find their mates by producing scented pheromones
  • Adult male Camel Crickets will try to court a female before mating in the fall by flexing, showing off their hind quarters and general masculinity
  • Females lay their eggs in early spring and they hatch during April and May
  • Camel Crickets inhabit long grasses and areas of loose soil or sand in which to lay their eggs

Prevention

  • Clean out your garage
  • Fix any and all leaky gutters
  • Store fire wood away from the house
  • Reduce areas of moisture in and around the home
  • Remove leaves from under your deck or around your home
  • Caulk around cracks, crevices and holes along the foundation of the home
  • Keep crawl spaces, basements and attics well ventilated reducing humidity
  • To deter Camel Crickets from nesting nearby, re-direct sprinkler system away from your house
  • Seal all possible gaps and points of entry around the structure’s foundation, especially around doors, windows and foundation cracks
  • Seek professional assistance and a pest prevention plan