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About Jerusalem Crickets
About Jerusalem Crickets
Jerusalem crickets are a fascinating, terrifying, and unique insect all in one. Between their odd heads, terrible odors, and large size, they are some of the most interesting insects in the world. They have the potential to become a serious pest if they come in large numbers. Continue reading to learn more about this insect and how you can control them.
Appearance
The most strange and shocking thing about Jerusalem crickets is their large heads that almost resemble a human face if looked at from the front. The crickets possess large, beady, black eyes that point out diagonally from their heads. Another shocking physical attribute of the Jerusalem cricket is their massive size, as they can commonly grow to the size of two inches. Their bodies are generally a dark or light brown, or even a light tan or yellow color. This cricket has two big back legs that look as if they are made for jumping. They also have four more legs towards the front of their bodies as well. Two large antennae also come out of the front of the Jerusalem cricket’s head.
Behavior
The Jerusalem cricket is a big, mean looking insect. Surely they would be a carnivorous and predatory insect right? It might be a surprise, but the Jerusalem cricket generally eats roots of plants, all kinds of crops, such as potatoes, corn, soybeans, and most other leafy crops. On some occasions they will eat other insects, but they mainly subsist on plant material. The Jerusalem cricket has a unique mating situation. Oftentimes, once the mating is complete, the female will kill the male and eat him. Once this is done, the eggs are deposited into a burrow they have made. Once the eggs hatch, nymphs come out. They will molt several times until they finally turn into an adult Jerusalem cricket. The time this process takes can vary, though two years is a good estimate. Once they are adults, these crickets get everywhere they are going by hopping, as they cannot fly.
Habitat
A Jerusalem cricket’s dream habitat would be a green vegetable and flower garden. Like most insects, these crickets would prefer to live as close to their food source as possible for convenience sake. When it is hot out, the crickets will want to try to find a dark, cool shelter, such as the bottoms of rocks and old logs. If these massive crickets find a way into your home or garage, they will head for a variety of places. Some of their favorite spots would be a basement, bathroom, kitchen, or even old cardboard boxes and other dark places.
Damage They Cause
Homeowners can rest assured that, though the Jerusalem cricket is a big, harmful-looking bug, it will not damage buildings or your possessions. In addition, it is comforting knowing that these crickets do not transmit disease or cause true danger. These insects will bite you if they feel threatened, though it will not cause permanent damage. Other than this, no one really likes big insects wandering around their homes, so many people opt to get rid of them. Homeowners should be more concerned about these crickets getting into their gardens, as they can cause serious damage to their plants.
Infestation Signs
Jerusalem crickets can gain access into your homes and buildings far more easily than you think. They are quick insects for being so large, and they can jump into your home when doors or windows are open. They also can find their way in if you have any gaps or cracks around your home. A Jerusalem cricket infestation is very easy to spot, as these large insects themselves are often the first sign you will see. Another common sign is any widespread garden damage, as large numbers of these crickets can really do some serious damage to plants. In addition to these things, you may also hear a hissing sound, which is a noise that comes from Jerusalem crickets.
How to Get Rid of Them
Jerusalem crickets rarely remain a serious problem, as they will not survive indoors for very long periods of time. They almost certainly will not lay eggs in your home, so you do not need to worry about that. However, if you cannot seem to get rid of them, consider using a human and pet-friendly insecticide to control the cricket problem. Finally, if you cannot get the problem under control or if you would like some help, consider hiring your local pest control expert, as they have plenty of experience in getting rid of all kinds of pests.
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