There are many cricket species in North America, and some have more of an impact on homes and businesses than others. Some notable varieties include field crickets like the spring and fall field cricket, mole crickets such as the European and tawny mole cricket, ground crickets, tree crickets, and camel crickets (also known as cave crickets). They mainly stay outside, destroying crops and plants, but venture inside when temperatures change, feeding on food scraps and waste material, and damaging textiles.
Finding these insects on your property in large or small numbers can be alarming. However, if you know how to identify the common types of crickets and understand the potential risks, you can take appropriate action to curb their spread. Below, we break down the different types of crickets by appearance, behavior, habitat, and risk.
Appearance
Behaviors
Habitat
Risk
House crickets are among the most common indoor cricket species in the U.S., often moving inside when temperatures drop. Their constant chirping and potential to damage fabrics make them a troublesome pest.
Appearance
Behaviors
Habitat
Risk
Jerusalem crickets are often mistaken for other crickets, and are not, in fact, true crickets. They belong to the Stenopelmatidae family rather than the common Gryllidae family, which contains true crickets. While not a major household pest, their large size and unusual appearance can be unsettling when encountered.
Appearance
Behaviors
Habitat
Risk
Mole crickets stand out from other cricket species because of their powerful digging ability and preference for living underground. Though they rarely invade homes, their tunneling can cause significant damage to lawns, gardens, and sports fields by uprooting grass and disturbing soil.
Appearance
Behaviors
Habitat
Risk
Field crickets are one of the most common types of crickets found outdoors in the U.S. Their habit of feeding on vegetation makes them an agricultural pest in some areas.
Appearance
Behaviors
Habitat
Risk
Camel crickets are commonly found in damp, dark areas. They are more of a nuisance than a threat, but can damage stored materials.
If you are dealing with any of these different species of crickets or are unsure which type you’ve found, our local cricket control technicians are ready to assist. Whether it’s exclusion work to block entry points, treatments to reduce populations, or advice on long-term prevention, Western Exterminator offers reliable solutions tailored to your property.
House crickets, field crickets, camel crickets, mole crickets, and Jerusalem crickets are the species most often encountered. Each has distinct features, habitats, and risks. While not true crickets, Mormon crickets exhibit similar traits to common U.S. species, such as physical appearance and chirping, and are greedy omnivores.
There are approximately 153 species in the United States, but only a handful are typically found in and around homes and businesses. The common species are the ones most likely to require pest control.
Most crickets are harmless to people, but some can damage fabrics, paper, plants, or turf. Jerusalem crickets can bite if handled, though they are not usually aggressive and do not carry diseases.
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