Autumn is finally here, and with it has come a dramatic increase in the number of insects, especially crickets.
The Central Texas area has experienced these fall invaders a little more than usual, and there are a few reasons regarding the abundance of crickets and what the rest of the season may look like in the area.
On Friday, the Herald reached out to Heidi Marcum, Ph.D., a senior lecturer in Environmental Science at Baylor University, to get a few answers on upcoming critter trends to look out for in the area, why so many crickets come out this time of year, when the invasion is expected to end and other related topics.
Why is there an increase in crickets in the Central Texas area?
According to Marcum, this event is natural but some years there is an increase in cricket activity. This is mostly due to temperature changes, from extreme Texas heat to the recent cooler mornings.
“The cooler weather we are experiencing has caused crickets to increase their activity, since during the heat of the summer they remain relatively quiet… As the weather cools, their activity increases.” Marcum wrote to the Herald on Friday.
Crickets tend to move slower in cool weather and their favorable element is in the heat. Crickets thrive in moderately cool temperatures as well as wet summers.
Central Texas has been experiencing overall cool mornings this fall.
What can people do to keep the infestation under control in their homes or businesses?
There has been a lot of conversation from local and statewide businesses on the overpopulation of crickets in people’s jobs and homes.
This has led to complaints of foul odors, hundreds of crickets forming near doorways and even some of the critters getting into restaurants or near food.
Locals are wondering what they can do in the meantime, and the answer is simple: Professionals in the entomology field as well as Marcum are advising people to turn off lights when you can, do not overuse pesticides, and to try sweeping the crickets outside.
“Bright lights around buildings and sidewalks during the night attract crickets, where they can get inside buildings and houses. Although they are not dangerous to humans, piles of dead crickets can be unsightly and smell, and the chirping of male crickets can be annoying.” Marcum wrote. “The best solution is to turn off outdoor lights as early as possible, and replace any necessary lights with yellow lights. Pesticides should be only carefully used — crickets can be swept up with a broom.”
Lastly, when will things go back to normal?
The crickets are expected to go back to their usual locations in around three to six weeks, when the weather is expected to bring temperatures below 55 degrees.
Cricket sightings decrease in late fall through the winter season.
