Straight answers from a licensed New York exterminator and Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) — serving all five boroughs, in English and Spanish.
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Quick answer: The crickets in NYC homes are usually house crickets (light yellowish-brown, they chirp) or camel/cave crickets (humpbacked, tan, no wings, silent, big back legs). Both are brown, jump well, and have very long antennae. House crickets chirp at night; camel crickets are silent basement-dwellers that can chew fabrics and paper. They’re a nuisance, not dangerous.
House cricket vs. camel cricket
- House cricket: ~16–22 mm, light yellow-brown with dark bands on the head, has wings, and chirps. Drawn to warmth and light.
- Camel (cave/spider) cricket: humpbacked, tan/mottled, wingless and silent, with long legs and antennae; found in basements, crawl spaces and garages. They jump toward you when startled, which unnerves people.
The chirping
Only male house crickets chirp, by rubbing their wings together, usually at night to attract mates. Camel crickets make no sound.
Why crickets are in your home
They seek moisture, warmth and dark shelter and wander in from outside through gaps, especially in late summer and fall. Damp basements and crawl spaces are ideal for camel crickets.
Are crickets harmful?
They don’t bite or spread disease, but camel crickets can chew on fabrics, cardboard and paper, and large numbers in a basement are a real nuisance. House crickets’ chirping disrupts sleep.
How to control crickets
Dry out and declutter basements, seal cracks and improve door sweeps, reduce exterior lighting that attracts house crickets, and move debris away from the foundation. Heavy basement populations benefit from professional treatment.
Crickets taking over the basement? New York Exterminating can treat and exclude them, led by an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). Call (347) 210-4646 or request a free assessment.
A Brooklyn-based, NYSDEC-registered company (Reg. #15140) led by Jorge Bedoya, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). For pests in your home or building, NYE provides IPM-based, low-exposure control matched to the exact pest and verified with a follow-up. ACE-led work comes with a client portal of service reports and photos, fully bilingual service, and no long-term contract.
Crickets — FAQ
Why do I have crickets in my basement?
Usually camel crickets, drawn to damp, dark spaces. They wander in from outside and thrive in humidity.
Do crickets bite or cause damage?
They rarely bite, but camel crickets can chew fabrics, paper and cardboard, and big populations are a nuisance.
How do I stop crickets chirping at night?
The chirpers are male house crickets. Find and remove them, seal entry points, and reduce outdoor lighting and moisture that attract them.
How do I get rid of camel crickets?
Dehumidify and declutter the basement, seal gaps, and treat if numbers are high.
