Dallas Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management, offers some advice about crickets in North Texas.

Normally crickets live outdoors where their diet consists primarily of wild grasses, small weeds, and leaf litter, dead insects and organic materials.  When these natural food sources dry up—usually in the late summer or fall—the crickets may begin migrating in large numbers, randomly invading homes and other buildings in their paths.  Summer rains after a period of drought may also trigger migrations. 

When the environmental conditions are just right (a prolonged wet spring season which promotes the growth of an abundance of weeds and grasses) the cricket population can build up into astronomical numbers.  When fall comes and their habitat begins to dry up, there can be spectacular migrations, where hundreds of thousands of crickets are on the move at the same time.

The annual cricket activity seems to be arriving early this year.  Prime Pest Management wants our current customers to know that we have begun implementing several treatment techniques to help manage the populations.  These treatments include baiting, crack and crevice treatments, and power spraying certain areas of the lawns. 

Since crickets are attracted to lights, we suggest changing the outdoor lighting to less attractive yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lamps. It is also helpful to seal possible points of entry around windows, doors, masonry and utility openings. In commercial accounts it is wise to check door sweeps and replace them if needed. In addition it is wise to keep your lawn mowed and avoid over-watering to alleviate breeding / hatching.

Dallas Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management (in business since 1991) the flagship company of Engrad Investments Inc., which also includes Burnett Pest Control (in business since 1947), Irving Pest Control (in business since 1960), and Dalpex Pest Control (in business since 1985).  Prime Pest Management offers both Commercial and Residential pest control services, along with wildlife trapping and removal, bee hive removal and relocation, and termite control and extermination. For a personal consultation please call 214-431-4616.