If you’re seeing camel crickets indoors, treat it like a warning light: these pests love cool, moist, dark conditions and often show up where humidity and harborage are present.
How to Identify Camel Crickets
- Hump-backed body with a “camel-like” curve
- Very long antennae and long back legs built for jumping
- Silent (no classic cricket chirp)
- Most active at night; commonly found in crawlspaces and basements
Why Camel Crickets Are Common in Eastern North Carolina
Our region’s humidity and vegetation create ideal conditions. Camel crickets commonly live outdoors in leaf litter, under logs, stones, woodpiles, and other cool, damp hiding spots. When weather swings hit (heavy rains or hot, dry periods), they may move toward structures—especially if your home offers moisture and shelter.
Top “Attractants” Around Homes
- Damp crawlspaces or basements (high humidity, condensation, leaks)
- Leaf piles, mulch beds, dense groundcover, or firewood stacked against the home
- Gaps around doors, foundation cracks, vents, plumbing penetrations, or utility lines
- Poor ventilation in crawlspaces and storage areas
Camel Cricket Facts Homeowners Should Know
- They prefer moisture. Cool, humid areas are prime habitat.
- They’re scavengers. They feed on organic debris and can also chew on household materials (especially in storage areas).
- They don’t chirp. Unlike house crickets, camel crickets are typically silent.
- They jump—hard. Their sudden leap is the #1 reason homeowners call them “creepy.”
Tips to Control Camel Crickets Inside Your Home
1) Fix the Moisture First (This Is the Big One)
- Repair plumbing leaks and HVAC condensate problems
- Improve crawlspace airflow where appropriate
- Run a dehumidifier in damp basements/crawlspaces and empty it regularly
- Correct drainage: extend downspouts and keep water moving away from the foundation
2) Seal Entry Points
- Caulk cracks in foundation and around window/door frames
- Weather-strip doors
- Seal around pipes, wiring, and service line penetrations
- Repair damaged crawlspace vent screens
3) Reduce Hiding Spots Indoors
- Declutter storage rooms and keep cardboard off floors
- Store fabrics in sealed plastic totes
- Vacuum regularly (especially along walls and in corners)
4) Monitoring That Works
Glue boards placed along walls in basements, crawlspace access areas, and garages help confirm activity levels and hot spots. If you’re catching multiple camel crickets per night, it’s usually time to step up to a professional plan.
Tips to Control Camel Crickets in Your Yard
- Remove leaf piles and yard debris, especially near the foundation
- Keep mulch beds thin and pulled back a few inches from siding
- Store firewood away from the home and off the ground
- Trim vegetation so air and sunlight can dry shaded areas
- Correct standing water and wet soil conditions around the home
How D & D Pest Control Co. Helps Get Rid of Camel Crickets
Camel cricket control works best as a two-part strategy: moisture/harborage correction + targeted treatment. Our team focuses on where camel crickets live, how they’re getting in, and how to stop the cycle.
Our Professional Approach
- Inspection: We identify crawlspace/basement conditions, entry points, and harborage areas.
- Targeted treatment: Professional-grade products applied where camel crickets actually hide and travel (not a “spray everything” approach).
- Exterior barrier: Perimeter and entry-point protection to reduce new invaders.
- Moisture guidance: Practical recommendations that make your home less attractive long-term.
Serving Eastern North Carolina, including Kinston, Greenville, Goldsboro, La Grange, Snow Hill, Pink Hill, Ayden, Grifton, Vanceboro, Trenton, Jacksonville, New Bern, Richlands and surrounding communities.
Camel Cricket FAQ
1) What are camel crickets?
Camel crickets are hump-backed, long-legged crickets that thrive in dark, damp environments like crawlspaces, basements, garages, and leaf litter outdoors.
2) Are camel crickets the same as spider crickets?
Yes. “Spider cricket” is a common nickname because of their long legs and quick, jumpy movement.
3) Do camel crickets bite?
Camel crickets are not known for biting humans and are considered harmless to people and pets. They are mostly a nuisance pest indoors.
4) Why are camel crickets in my crawlspace?
They are drawn to cool, humid conditions. Crawlspaces with high moisture, condensation, leaks, or poor ventilation are prime habitat.
5) Why do I see them after heavy rain or weather changes?
Weather extremes can push camel crickets toward shelter. If your home offers moisture and hiding places, they may move in and multiply.
6) Are camel crickets dangerous?
They are not considered dangerous, but heavy activity indoors is a sign your home may have a moisture issue that should be addressed.
7) Do camel crickets chirp?
Most camel crickets are silent, unlike house crickets.
8) What do camel crickets eat?
They are scavengers that feed on organic debris outdoors and may chew on stored items indoors (especially in damp storage areas).
9) What’s the fastest way to reduce camel crickets?
Reduce moisture + place monitoring glue boards + treat the hot spots (crawlspace/basement edges, entry points, and exterior harborage zones).
10) Will a dehumidifier help?
Yes. Lowering humidity makes crawlspaces and basements less suitable for camel crickets and helps reduce long-term activity.
11) Do I need to treat the yard too?
Often, yes—especially if you have leaf litter, mulch, woodpiles, or shaded damp zones near the foundation that act as a source population.
12) How do I keep camel crickets out of my house?
Seal entry gaps, fix moisture problems, reduce outdoor harborages near the home, and maintain a protective exterior barrier.
13) How long does it take to get control?
Many homes see improvement quickly after moisture + targeted treatment, but lasting control depends on correcting the conditions that attract them.
14) When should I call D & D Pest Control Co.?
If you’re seeing camel crickets weekly (or daily), finding them in living spaces, or suspect crawlspace moisture issues, call us for an inspection and a targeted plan.
Call D & D Pest Control Co. Today
Stop the jumping surprises and get control of camel crickets the right way—fix the conditions and treat the source.
Call D & D Pest Control Co. at (252) 523-8255 to schedule service in Eastern North Carolina.
- Local, experienced professionals
- Targeted crawlspace, basement, and perimeter treatments
- Guidance to reduce moisture and prevent reinfestation
- Service across Eastern NC communities
