So I have camel crickets in the basement of my new home, something I discovered as a jumping creepy-crawly startled the heck out of me while I was putting away my things. Yikes! They’re nasty looking little things, though they seem pretty harmless and are probably just looking for moisture. They don’t belong in my basement, so I did some research on how to get rid of crickets without using harmful pesticides.
Here are a few ideas I found:
1) Seal entrances. This is easier said than done in a basement full of appliances. But to the extent you can, caulk and seal around windows and doors to minimize entry points. Not only is this good for keeping out crickets and other critters, but will also help your home be more energy efficient.
2) Use a Diatomaceous Earth product. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is is made from finely ground fossiles of prehistoric fresh water diatoms. It is a mechanical insect killer rather than chemical. Insects therefore cannot develop immunity to it, and it does not adversely affect the environment in the way chemicals would. It’s also non toxic to humans or pets.
A product like Concern Brand Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer gets ingested or touched by the crickets, and they just dry up and die within 48 hours. The product’s insect control capability is long lasting so long as the powder remains dry. Sprinkle it into cracks and crevices, behind appliances and cabinets, and in other places where crickets can hide.
3) Glue traps. You can set anything sticky, suck as sticky paper, along walls and corners where crickets hide. They step on it, get stuck, and you get rid of the material. The traps last one or two months. This would not be my preferred method, since you generate additional waste, but at least it’s pesticide-free.
Have other ideas on how to get rid of crickets in your basement without pesticides? Post them below!
No related posts.
