Cricket Bait

Crickets can cause extensive damage to seedlings, flowers, gardens, furniture, clothes, and food.  Crickets are nocturnal and may be difficult to find during the day.  Glue traps are not ideal for outdoor use, as rain and dew can diminish their stickiness.  The toxicity of widespread pesticides often leaves homeowners looking for an alternate method of control. Many homeowners prefer using organic methods of cricket bait instead of broad labeled pesticide sprays for cricket extermination.

Cricket bait can be an effective method of control.  The most common cricket baits either contain orthoboric acid (boric acid) or bifenthrin.  These baits kill the insect upon ingestion.  The chemicals are designed to destroy enzyme-producing microorganisms in the gut of the cricket.  Without these enzymes, the cricket starves to death.  Baits are available in powder and granular forms.  Several baits can survive up to 4 inches of rainfall outside, and remain potent for 90 days.  Homemade cricket bait is made by filling a jar halfway with molasses.  Leave the jar unopened in areas known for cricket activity.  Crickets are attracted to the smell of molasses, and will drown in the sticky substance.

A hand held duster is the most efficient way to spread bait throughout a yard.  Granular baits can be spread along perimeters and in areas known for cricket activity.  Several available baits have little or no odor.  Check the labels to find out which baits can be used inside.  Even though cricket baits have a very low percentage of active chemicals, be sure to follow the label for proper application.  Most cricket baits kill other bugs including ants, silverfish, earwigs, cockroaches and snails.