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Field crickets (Gryllinae) are insects known for their loud chirping sounds and strong jumping legs. They live mostly outdoors but can sometimes enter homes, garages, and barns. These insects are most active at night and are commonly seen in late summer.
Field crickets are not dangerous, but they can become a nuisance when their numbers grow. Read on to learn more about what they look like, where you are most likely to find them, and what you can do to prevent them from entering your property.
Characteristics
Field crickets are black or dark brown and have long antennae. They use their powerful hind legs to jump long distances. Male crickets make a chirping sound by rubbing their wings together. This sound helps them attract females.
Lifecycle
Field crickets go through three main stages of life: egg, nymph, and adult.
Females lay eggs in the soil during the late summer or fall. In the spring, the eggs hatch into small nymphs, which look like tiny crickets without wings. As they grow, they shed their outer skin multiple times. By late summer, they become adult crickets. The cycle repeats when females lay new eggs before winter.
Adult field crickets do not survive the cold, only field cricket eggs or certain species of nymph will overwinter, so their numbers decrease when the temperature drops.
Identification
Field crickets are small insects that are about 0.5 to 1.5 inches long. They have oval-shaped bodies and are usually dark brown or black. Field crickets have strong hind legs that help them jump far distances. Their long antennae are often longer than their bodies.
These crickets are also known for their loud chirping, which they make by rubbing their wings together.
Habitat
Field crickets prefer living outdoors, where they are often found in fields, gardens, and grassy areas. During the day, they hide under logs, rocks, or piles of leaves to stay safe. As the weather gets cooler, field crickets may move indoors, looking for warmth and shelter in places like barns, garages, basements, or sheds.
Field crickets also burrow into the soil to stay hidden during the day. At night, they come out to feed and search for mates.
Field crickets in America
There are many field cricket species in the United States. Some of the most common include the North American Field Cricket (Gryllus pennsylvanicus), the Jamaican Field Cricket (Gryllus assimilis), and the Southern Field Cricket (Gryllus rubens).
Field cricket behavior, threats, or dangers
Field crickets do not bite people, but they have strong jaws that help them chew on plants, fabrics, and even small insects. While they are not dangerous, too many field crickets can cause problems.
One of the biggest issues with field crickets is the damage they cause to plants. They feed on grass, leaves, and flowers, which can be a problem for gardeners and farmers. In your home, field crickets may chew on fabric, paper, and food packaging.
Field crickets are a common pest, and if you have too many in your home or field, it’s important to learn how to get rid of crickets and prevent more from coming back.
Are field crickets hard to get rid of?
Field crickets can be hard to control because they hide well and lay many eggs. Keeping your yard clean, removing piles of leaves, and fixing cracks around doors and windows can also help prevent them from coming inside.
If you are dealing with a larger infestation, professional cricket control may be the best option.
How many field crickets count as an infestation?
A few crickets outside are normal, but you may be dealing with an infestation if you start noticing large numbers inside and around your property. Signs of an infestation include:
- Hearing loud chirping sounds at night
- Seeing multiple crickets inside your home or garage
- Noticing damage to plants, fabrics, or stored food
If you suspect an infestation, it’s best to take action early. Learn more by visiting our cricket information guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are field crickets attracted to?
Field crickets are attracted to light, warmth, and food sources. They are drawn to porch lights, open windows, and bright areas at night. They also look for places with moist soil, tall grass, and piles of leaves to hide and lay eggs.
Where are field crickets found?
Field crickets live in fields, gardens, and grassy areas. They hide under rocks, logs, and leaves during the day. In colder months, they may enter garages, basements, and sheds to stay warm.
Why am I seeing so many field crickets?
Field crickets lay hundreds of eggs in the soil before winter. When the eggs hatch in spring, cricket numbers increase quickly. They are most active in late summer and fall when people notice them the most.
What is the difference between tree crickets and field crickets?
The main difference is their color and habitat. Field crickets are black or dark brown and live in fields and grassy areas. Tree crickets are pale green or white and live in trees and shrubs. Tree crickets also have a softer chirping sound compared to the louder chirps of field crickets.