General Information
Camel
crickets get their name because of
their slightly humpbacked
appearance. Their long legs give
them a spider-like appearance.
Unlike other crickets, they do not
have wings as adults. There are
actually several species called
camel crickets, but most of them are
unimportant as pests. One species,
Tachycines asynamorous or
"greenhouse stone cricket"
frequently becomes a nuisance
indoors. As its name suggests, this
species is frequently found in
greenhouses. Unlike most cricket
species that we see, camel crickets
do not "chirp". If you are hearing
chirping sounds indoors, then you
likely have field crickets.
Outdoors, camel crickets are
typically found in moist areas
including under stones and logs, or
in stacks of firewood. Areas that
are overgrown with vegetation such
as ivy and other ground covers
provide excellent hiding places.
Camel crickets pass the winter as
nymphs or adults. The nymphs looks
almost identical to the adult,
except that they are smaller. In
early spring, adult females begin to
lay eggs in the soil. A few weeks
later, the nymphs hatch from these
eggs.
Problems with Camel Crickets
Camel
crickets often become a problem when we
have extremes in weather conditions, i.e,
excessive rainfall or extended periods
of hot, dry weather. Like many insect
pests, camel crickets are attracted to
cool, moist/humid areas in and around
our homes. The crickets often invade
storage buildings, crawlspaces,
basements, garages and indoor areas
where moisture may be a problem (e.g.,
bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc.). A
telltale sign of a heavy infestation is
the presence of dark fecal smears on
surfaces (such as on the floor joist in
the picture to the right). Although they
are mostly a nuisance pest, they can
damage stored items, such as garments
and linens packed in boxes in a garage
or basement if the problem goes
unchecked for some time and the crickets
cannot find suitable food.