How to Kill Crickets Using Natural Products

A cricket on a wood surface.
  • 2 hours
  • Beginner
  • 50
What You'll Need
Molasses
Diatomaceous earth
LED light bulbs
Dehumidifier
Lawn mower
Vacuum
Sealant
Liquid soap
Water
Pets
What You'll Need
Molasses
Diatomaceous earth
LED light bulbs
Dehumidifier
Lawn mower
Vacuum
Sealant
Liquid soap
Water
Pets

Although crickets might not be the world’s most worrisome pests, these little insects can quickly become a nuisance. Not only can crickets nibble away at your precious vegetable garden, but they can also chew holes in the furniture and clothes inside your home. Fortunately, there are a few natural products that can help rid you of these unwanted pests in no time. Here's what they are and how to use them.

Molasses

Apart from its sweet flavor, molasses is the key ingredient to a sweet trap most crickets cannot resist. Just mix 1/2 cup of molasses with 5 cups of water and place the mixture into an open glass jar. The molasses will attract the crickets and cause them to jump inside the jar. Once inside, the water will do the rest of the work. For best results, place the jars at various points throughout your home and make sure to empty them whenever you find any dead crickets.

Diatomaceous Earth

A bowl of diatomaceous earth.

Diatomaceous earth is actually a powder that is created from the skeletons of algae. Although it has no effect on humans or pets, this powder does wonders at removing crickets from a home. This product works by scratching the insects, which in turn leads to dehydration and eventually death. Diatomaceous Earth can be applied both indoors and outdoors and is safe if consumed by pets. Simply apply the powder in various areas throughout the home and wait for the crickets to venture inside.

Natural Pesticides

A spray bottle shooting a mist against a dark background.

If you have a cricket problem outside of the house, then consider using a natural pesticide to deal with the issue. This includes mixing soap into a water bottle and spraying it directly on the crickets. The soap breaks down the outer shells of the insects and eventually kills them. Additionally, a natural spray made from hot peppers is an effective way to discourage crickets from eating in the garden. In contrast to the soap spray, pepper spray can be applied beforehand.

Moisture Reduction

You can get rid of crickets by addressing any moisture build-up in your home. Crickets need moisture to survive and taking it away will make a huge difference in your battle against the chirping creatures. Inspect your home thoroughly and make note of any problem areas where moisture accumulates. Typically, this includes basements, crawl spaces, attics, and pretty much anywhere that is dark and moist. Once the problem areas have been spotted, then install a dehumidifier to remedy the issue.

Pets

A cat laying on top of a dog.

If you really want to go the more natural route, then pets are a great way in keeping crickets outside the home. In fact, both cats and dogs are masters at tracking down these pests, though you might have some minor cleanup to worry about afterwards. Furthermore, consider installing a small bird feeder to your home. Birds are an excellent way to manage cricket populations, especially in an outdoor garden area.

Simple Landscaping

A close-up image of a lawnmower cutting grass.

In order to help prevent crickets from invading your lawn, keep your grass nice and trim throughout the year. This will deprive the crickets of shelter and food sources and discourage them from getting too comfortable in your yard. Also, consider adding nitrogen-fixing plants to your garden. These types of plants discourage crickets by acting as an irritant.

Lighting

It’s no secret that bugs are generally attracted to bright white lights, and crickets are no different. To help combat this issue and prevent crickets from arriving en masse on your porch, considering replacing traditional lighting with LEDs or amber colored lights. You will be amazed at how well this keeps crickets from entering your home. Even more, another tactic is to simply cut down on outdoor light use all together and instead rely on natural lighting for all your outdoor needs.

Sealing All Entry Points

Caulking around a door.

In order to really combat the cricket issue, make sure that your home is fully sealed off. This is an important step in the battle against crickets, especially considering how many places they can get into. Inspect areas around doors and windows that might need new weather stripping or caulking. If the crickets cannot get inside your home, then you won’t have to worry about constantly removing them. Also, consider keeping a regular vacuum schedule which will help keep cricket populations down.