What Are Spider Crickets?

There are many pests in a lawn or garden whose appearance makes them look like they might be a real problem. The spider cricket is one such creature. Also called the camelback cricket, spricket, cave cricket or camel cricket, their long antennae and long legs make them look like something out of a movie a plague. Knowing a bit more about these common creatures can make them seem a little less intimidating.

Spider crickets have very long hindlegs that are shaped like drumsticks. The insects can grow to about 2 inches long and their backs curve upward slightly. Their antennae are also long — almost twice the length of their bodies. They are brownish in color and can have dark striping on their bodies and legs. Unlike some other types of crickets, spider crickets do not have wings and thus, they do not chirp.

Spider crickets live in damp, dark environments all over the world. In the wild, they live in caves, under rocks and in and under logs and leaves. When they find their way into homes, spider crickets prefer basements, cellars and woodsheds. Spider crickets will rarely enter the main part of the home. They are nocturnal insects and thus avoid well-lit areas.

Adult female spider crickets lay their eggs in soil in the early spring; the eggs hatch a few weeks later. The nymph crickets look like the adult crickets except that they are smaller and their skin is more translucent. The nymphs mature over the course of a year and in the following spring lay their own eggs. The average spider cricket will live about a year if it not killed by humans or one of its natural predators.

Spider crickets do not pose much harm if they get into a house. Because they prefer dark areas, they rarely end up in parts of the house where they will interact with humans or pets. However, they may eat through plants or clothes stored in darker places.

To get rid of crickets, it is often enough to light the area of the house in which they have settled. Crickets will not stay in areas that do not have consistent darkness.

Because spider crickets also prefer moist areas, drying the part of the home they have settled in will also help rid them. This will also ensure that they will not return. Make sure pipes are sealed properly and ventilate areas that have become damp.

Cleaning dark, damp areas in your yard will prevent spider crickets from settling near your home and possibly migrating to your house. Remove piles of dead leaves and air out wood piles.

Glue traps and bug sprays can also kill crickets if other methods do not work.