How do you get rid of crickets in your home? (Tucson: 2013, lease)

[rambrush]

We tried the same thing when I lived in the Phoenix valley kept things sealed and clean but alas they still came in, Then we went to the animal shelter and picked up a couple of cats and brought them home.
Solved the situation gave the cats something to play with.

[Phxguy]

Geckos absolutely LOVE eating crickets as well as most lizards. Having a few of those around the house (while not inside) is a good thing.

[Xica_da_Silva]

Crickets. The former bane of my existence.

Time is on your side, as it will get better once the temperatures cool down.

Prevention is easier than cure. I sprinkle diatomaceous earth all around the perimeter of my house, as well as around the baseboards inside my house. Yep, it's a powdery mess but really works, and I usually don't have guests over during the hottest months anyhow. And best yet, it's harmless to humans and to pets, even if ingested...it's not chemical-based...IIRC it's the crushed shells of ancient crustaceans, which 'cut' up the crickets'/roaches'/etc. insides.

Another thing I did was caulk any cracks from outside to inside, but I know they still sometimes come under the door, etc. Next year, I want to caulk the tiny space between the floor and the baseboards because the crickets love to hide in there.

My two cats also help somewhat...but they like to play with the cricket rather than kill. So, it's usually me who has to do the dirty deed. They do get goofy possessed look on the face when dealing with such critters.

PS. I've got this theory that the cricket population moves in waves through particular sections of the city. I say this because a couple of weeks ago, after months of non-stop cricket noise outside, suddenly the cricket activity/chirping totally stopped. One might suppose that scorpions had chased them, but no, never saw any scorps in this part of town. And the temps haven't gone down that dramatically, so it's strange! Hmmmm...

[chilepepper]

I have talked to a pest control company and Crickets DO eat your clothing and they DO bring in scorpions. I had a bad cricket problem and I have holes in my clothes and in the 8 years of living here have had my first couple scorpions in the house. The crickets have been pretty bad this year for sure. Contact a pest control company and they will help you get them under control.

[makeitagreatday]

...some scorpions over for dinner.

[jimj]

We've killed 9 scorpions so far, 4 inside the house. We noticed the scorpions increased when I allowed the grasshopper/cricket population take hold and disappear when I kept up my do it yourself pest control schedule.
This was also backed up by talking with 3 pest control companies who all stated "remove the food that draws scorpions and they will leave". One guy actually walked me around the outside of the house and showed me where they normally get inside and where they (pest co) seal the house. On a stucco house where the stucco meets the foundation you have to get on your knees and look under the lip of the stucco right at the foundation. You will see small weep or drain holes and on most there will be a gap in places where the stucco (should) touches the concrete.
He said to get some caulk and seal the gaps leaving the small drain holes open. He also said that this is what costs the most to do labor wise on their bill but if someone was even minimally handy could do themselves and save a bunch of $$$.

[makeitagreatday]

Originally Posted by jimj

We've killed 9 scorpions so far, 4 inside the house. We noticed the scorpions increased when I allowed the grasshopper/cricket population take hold and disappear when I kept up my do it yourself pest control schedule.
This was also backed up by talking with 3 pest control companies who all stated "remove the food that draws scorpions and they will leave". One guy actually walked me around the outside of the house and showed me where they normally get inside and where they (pest co) seal the house. On a stucco house where the stucco meets the foundation you have to get on your knees and look under the lip of the stucco right at the foundation. You will see small weep or drain holes and on most there will be a gap in places where the stucco (should) touches the concrete.
He said to get some caulk and seal the gaps leaving the small drain holes open. He also said that this is what costs the most to do labor wise on their bill but if someone was even minimally handy could do themselves and save a bunch of $$$.

Bingo...seal, seal, seal. I've given that same advice for that very area--90% enter between that gap...but I just couldn't help myself this morning and had to go with the comical solution. Forgive me. The other 10% come in by doors and windows...again seal, seal, seal.

[DewDropInn]

Two cats.

Catch. Play. Eat.

No crickets.

[dbrooks411]

I had crickets in my home too, I was adviced by friends too keep my drain closed in the bath tub and sinks throughout my home. The crickets went away and I never had scorpions or crickets eating my clothes either.

[Bob's Burgers]

Hire an exterminator