Why Spider Crickets Love Your Cool, Dark Basement And How To Get Rid Of Them

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It's a startling experience to be going about your business like every other day only to be greeted by creepy crawlies. When it comes to pests, there's a seemingly endless number of insects that can make their way into your home, and some of them can end up in your basement. Spider crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) are one of these, but why do they love the basement so much?

An insect of many names — cave crickets, camel crickets, sprickets, toilet crickets (in Japan), and more — spider crickets prefer habitats that are cool, dark, and moist. Natural environments like that include caves, underneath logs, and under damp leaves and stones. Because of that, spider crickets can be attracted to basements (and crawl spaces, cellars, and laundry rooms) where moisture has built up because of poor ventilation and temperatures remain cool. They can also be attracted to your basement if there are piles of damp leaves or wood (like wet firewood) near the outer structure. Plus, hot and dry outdoor weather can drive the insects to look for a cooler, wetter home.

Although you won't hear spider crickets in your home because they can't make chirping sounds like other animals at night, the main sign that they've made their way into your house is smears of dark fecal matter on surfaces — such as near the bottoms of walls and on the floor. Of course, actually seeing them is a huge indication of a problem, especially since the insects often gather in big groups.

Spider crickets are harmless insects because they aren't poisonous, don't bite or sting, and aren't known to transmit diseases. These bugs also aren't likely to cause foundation or structural damage to your home like carpenter ants or termites. Since they can chew through fabrics — such as canvases, clothes, drapes, linens, and rugs — though, you don't want them to stick around. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to get rid of them.

Believe it or not, the same glue boards — like Trapper Max sticky traps — that work for mice and other pests also work for catching spider crickets. You can place them along the edges of walls around your basement (or wherever else you've seen the insects, and they will naturally venture onto them. If you need to attract them to the traps, a moldy piece of bread placed in the center will do the trick. Another option is a simple bowl of soapy water, which will naturally draw the insects in because of the moisture.

Spider crickets might not be considered tiny insects, but they can still crawl and jump through vents, garage doors that are left open, and other small openings around your doors and windows from missing weather stripping. So, to prevent them from getting back inside once you get rid of them, make sure that all of these spaces are sealed. For instance, place screens across vents, replace weather stripping, and try not to leave your garage door open for long on particularly hot and dry days. Other ways to keep spider crickets from being attracted to your basement are to clear away outdoor and indoor clutter and use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the space.