BEWARE of Spider Crickets Smearing Poop in Your Home

Just like stink bugs, spider crickets take advantage of cracks around windows and door trims, to invade your house and congregate in large numbers.

This scary-looking bug is also called a spricket, cave cricket or camel cricket and looks similar to the wolf spider. The spider cricket has big hind legs used to jump when scared, and a long set of antennae that help them navigate dark in environments like your basement. 

Spider crickets are silent and attract their mates by emitting a smell (gross) as they convene together. Large populations cause damage by eating wood, carpet, fungi, cardboard, insects, and even other spider crickets. The Collin Purrington site says you can tell you have a large population when they smear poop all over your walls.

Wondering if the spider cricket will bite humans? The Washington Post says it depends on who you ask:

Most sources will answer “no” because the bug’s mandibles are meant for chewing and not inflicting a bite in self-defense. They jump in self-defense. But if a spider cricket lands on your skin, they can start gnawing, which will cause pain. [The Washington Post]

Spider crickets are widespread in CNY and most commonly found in damp basements, utility rooms, crawl spaces, garages and occasionally in attics. To avoid infestation, reduce areas of moisture with a dehumidifier and seal all possible points of entry around the house, keep crawl spaces, basements and attics well ventilated, and store firewood at least 20 feet away from the home.

Do you have spider crickets in your house?

[The Washington Post, Pest World]