House crickets are found throughout Britain, breeding in rubbish tips and other areas out doors in the summer but tending to move into buildings for the autumn and winter.

Description: Crickets follow an incomplete metamorphosis, with seven to nine nymphal stages, gradually developing more like the adult. Crickets are particularly sensitive to temperature being inactive below 20﮿C and around 35﮿C. Since they are completely omnivorous. development is less dependent on food supply, but a higher humidity is known to be important. This is reflected in the crickets preferred habitats of kitchens, boiler houses and underground heating ducts.

How to control crickets: Residual insecticides will normally be applied to areas containing crickets. However a pro-active approach based on the use of monitoring traps can be used. Sticky traps primarily used for cockroaches are effective.