About Crickets in the East Valley
Crickets are one of the most common and most complained-about pests across the East Valley. The two species you will encounter most are field crickets (Gryllus spp.) and house crickets (Acheta domesticus). Field crickets are dark brown to black and about an inch long. House crickets are lighter in color and slightly smaller. Both are drawn to moisture, warmth, and light — three things that East Valley homes provide in abundance.
During monsoon season, cricket populations explode. Warm, humid nights create ideal breeding conditions, and residential neighborhoods with irrigated landscaping and exterior lighting become magnets for massive swarms. Beyond the noise and nuisance, crickets create a secondary problem that most homeowners do not think about: they are the primary food source for Arizona bark scorpions. A property with a heavy cricket presence is far more likely to develop a scorpion problem.
Where Crickets Hide and How They Get Inside
Outdoors, crickets shelter under rocks, mulch, landscape timbers, potted plants, and yard debris during the day. At night, they become active and are drawn toward light sources — porch lights, garage lights, and landscape lighting pull them directly toward your home.
They enter through gaps under exterior doors, cracks around windows, weep holes in block and brick walls, and utility penetrations. Garage doors that do not seal tightly are one of the biggest entry points. Once inside, crickets gravitate toward moisture — garages, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens are the most common indoor locations. They will chew on fabrics, paper, cardboard, and stored food if given the opportunity.
When Are Crickets Most Active in the East Valley?
Cricket populations explode during and after monsoon season when moisture and warm nights create ideal breeding conditions. Peak activity runs from July through September across the East Valley. They remain active through October before cooling temperatures slow them down.
How to Get Rid of Crickets
Sweeping up crickets and spraying store-bought repellent around your doors might reduce the ones you see, but it does nothing about the population breeding in your yard and the surrounding area. When crickets are swarming during monsoon season, the numbers are simply too large for DIY measures to keep up.
Professional cricket control starts with a perimeter barrier treatment applied to your home’s foundation, door frames, garage entry, and other key entry points. Granular bait is applied to landscaping beds and yard areas where crickets harbor during the day. Switching exterior lighting to warm amber or yellow LED bulbs reduces the attraction factor significantly. Ongoing monthly treatments during peak season keep cricket numbers low — and as a direct result, reduce scorpion activity on your property as well.
