Grasshoppers and crickets both can be spotted this time of the year. You may have noticed them jumping around your yard and garden. Their chirping noise may be music to some, but to others, it may be the sound of destruction. Crickets and grasshoppers can be a garden’s worst enemy. Your Lake of the Ozarks professional pest control company is here to help protect your home and garden from these destructive pests.
What’s the Difference Between Grasshoppers and Crickets?
Grasshoppers and crickets belong to the orthoptera family, which also includes katydids and locusts. Many people get crickets and grasshoppers confused. However, the easiest way to tell them apart is with their antennae. Crickets tend to have long antennae and grasshoppers have rather short antennae. Grasshoppers make their chirping sound by rubbing their hind legs against their wings, while crickets “sing” by rubbing their wings together. Grasshoppers and crickets do not have traditional ears. Grasshoppers detect sounds from an organ in their abdomen and crickets listen with their front legs. Crickets are crepuscular, which means they are most active during dusk. Grasshoppers, on the other hand, are out and about during the day. Grasshoppers mostly eat grass and plants, while crickets eat plants and other insects.
When Do They Emerge?
Crickets and grasshoppers have the same life cycle. They will lay their eggs in the late summer or early fall. The nymphs look like the adults, just small and wingless, and hatch in the spring or early summer. As they grow, they shed their skin and when they are adults, they have fully developed wings. They will continue feeding until cold weather kills them.
Grasshoppers in the Garden
Because grasshoppers are herbivores, meaning that they feed on grasses and plants, they can cause a lot of damage to yards and gardens. When there is a large infestation of grasshoppers, they can cause extensive plant damage. There have been cases of grasshopper infestation that have destroyed or consumed entire crop fields. Although they tend to favor small grains like rice and soybeans, when they are in large groups, they feed on any variety of plants.
Crickets in the Home
Crickets can be just as damaging as grasshoppers in the garden. Grasshoppers cannot survive in the home, so they will likely stay away. However, crickets can also be destructive in the home since they are able to survive inside. Crickets typically enter the home through open windows and doors. However, they can also enter by chewing on screen doors. Crickets can damage fabrics, paper, rubber and food. They seek out warmth, so they will tend to be in the kitchen or near the furnace or water heater. Once inside, they hide in cracks or behind baseboards.
Get Rid of Pests with A B Pest Control
Protect your home and garden with the help of a pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks. Crickets and grasshoppers are tricky to get rid of, especially when found in your garden full of food. With A B Pest Control & Insulation, your home and garden are safe from destructive pests. If you have an infestation, call us at 573-964-1100 today.
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