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Harmless

House cricket

Acheta domesticus
Also called European house cricket, feeder cricket

House crickets are harmless to people; the worst they do is chirp all night and, in large numbers, chew on fabrics.

House cricket, photo 1
Photo: Bob Miller, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist
SizeAbout 19–25 mm (3/4 to 1 inch), not counting antennae
Where in the houseKitchen, basement, garage, closets, living room
WhenLate summer and fall, when cooler nights push them toward warm buildings; a few can survive indoors year-round in warm spots.

Check these features

  1. Light yellowish-brown to tan body
  2. Three dark bands running across the top of the head
  3. Wings lie flat on the back; long, thin antennae longer than the body
  4. Two thin tail feelers at the rear; females also have a long, needle-like egg-laying tube
  5. Males chirp, mostly at night

Bites and stings

Does not bite people.

What to do

  1. Catch it under a cup or with a bug catcher and put it outside, or vacuum it up.
  2. To find a chirping cricket, follow the sound, then stay still; it will usually start again after a pause.
  3. Put sticky traps near the spot where the chirping comes from, along baseboards and in the garage or basement.
  4. Check stored wool, silk and stained clothing nearby for chew damage if you have seen several crickets.

Look-alikes

Field cricketField crickets are larger and dark brown to shiny black, without the house cricket's light tan color and dark head bands.
Camel cricketsCamel crickets have a humped back, no wings and very long spidery legs, and they never chirp, while house crickets have flat wings on the back and males chirp.

Why it came inside

House crickets are drawn to lights at night and slip in through gaps under doors, foundation cracks and torn screens, especially when evenings cool off; indoors they look for warm, dark spots behind baseboards, under stairs and in clutter.

Keep it out

  • Install door sweeps and weatherstripping and repair torn window screens.
  • Caulk foundation cracks and gaps around vents and pipes.
  • Switch outdoor lights to yellow bug bulbs or turn them off at night, and close shades.
  • Clear firewood, boards, rocks and thick plants away from the foundation.

What helps

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Sticky traps

Flat glue traps set along walls and in corners show what is moving through and where. Place them where pets and children can't reach.

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Door sweep

Closes the gap under an exterior door. If you can see daylight under the door, bugs can get in.

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Weatherstripping

Seals the gaps around doors and windows that let in drafts and bugs alike.

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Caulk and sealant

Silicone or siliconized acrylic caulk closes cracks around windows, pipes and baseboards. Bigger gaps need foam backer rod or expanding foam first.

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Screen repair kit

Patches or replaces torn window and door screens, one of the most common ways insects get in.

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Bug catcher

A long-handled catcher moves a spider or insect outside without you having to touch it.

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Vacuum with a hose

Lets you remove bugs, webs and egg sacs without touching them. Empty the bag or canister outside right away.

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Sources

  1. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (Crickets)
  2. University of Maryland Extension
  3. University of Minnesota Extension
  4. University of Missouri Extension
  5. University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS)

Checked October 18, 2026. Rating backed by 3 sources. How we rate danger.