Spider crickets get cozy in homes as temperatures drop

Although not often thought of as cuddly creatures, some insects are inviting themselves to get cozy inside Lehigh Valley homes as the weather turns colder.

Described as “creepy and extremely fast,” by one Morning Call reader, spider crickets — also known as cave crickets, criders or sprickets — are popping up across the region as temperatures drop, spotted mostly in dark corners and basements.

Regardless of name, these insects are harmless to humans and are even known to allow their legs to fall off to protect themselves.

And, because of their athletic jumping skills, spider crickets have been studied by researchers at Johns Hopkins University to help improve robots. According to the study, “if the spider cricket was the same size as a human, its jump distance would be 300 feet — that’s nearly a football field long.”

To find out more about these scary-looking, but harmless insects, The Morning Call spoke to Muhlenberg College biology professor Marten Edwards.

What are spider crickets?

Spider crickets, or greenhouse camel crickets, are one member of a family of cave-dwelling insects present in North America, Edwards explained. The ones most commonly seen are not native to the area, but were common in Minnesota greenhouses back in 1898.

“Since they naturally live in caves, a basement or crawl space is a perfect version of their natural home,” Edwards said. “In the fall, it is normal to see more of them, since, like stink bugs, they are looking for a cozy place to spend the winter.”

Like honeybees, spider crickets aren’t native, but they aren’t invasive like spotted lanternflies or emerald ash borers, either.

“They are probably not crowding out any other insects and basically going about their buggy lives in peace,” Edwards said.

Do they make any sounds?

No — spider crickets are silent. “One great thing about them sharing our homes is that they don’t chirp or sing like other crickets,” Edwards said. “They often get unfairly blamed for making noise, but they are innocent.”

Are they a threat to people?

Spider crickets are harmless to people — but residents shouldn’t try to hold them.

“Their mouths are good for chewing, not biting, and they don’t have any venom,” he said. “As scavengers looking for the kinds of food you would normally find in a cave, they are unlikely to gnaw on anything you really care about.”

Where are residents likely to see them?

If there are spider crickets in your home, they’re most likely found in basements or parts of the house that resemble a cave, Edwards said.

“They like moisture, so some have found that running a dehumidifier may help make your basement less hospitable,” Edwards said. “Also, filling in gaps that let them in from the outside can help.”

And, they “absolutely love” dog and cat food, so if spider crickets are taking up residence in your basement, avoid feeding pets and storing extra food there.

If you see a spider cricket, what should you do?

Because they’re harmless to humans, Edwards recommends admiring the insects as a form of watchable wildlife.

“They are not afraid of us, so they might jump toward us,” Edwards explained. “Some people mistake this for them being aggressive, but they just don’t see us as a threat. It’s possible that you could get pricked by the spines on their legs if you got too close, so just be careful. They are not trying to do you any harm.”

But I don’t want them in my house. What do I do if I see one?

Edwards said he couldn’t think of a good reason to kill them. Instead, they’re somewhat easy to catch “by putting a plastic jar over them, sliding some cardboard under the jar and just taking them outside and letting them get on with their lives,” he said.

But, be careful, because they’re natural response is to protect themselves, which involves allowing their legs to fall off.

“I certainly would not recommend using any kind of insecticide on them,” Edwards said. “It’s best not to expose yourself, your family or pets to potentially toxic chemicals unless there is a pressing need.”

Is there anything else residents should know?

Outside, spider crickets are part of the food chain, providing tasty meals for birds and other animals, Edwards said, but inside, they can be mistaken for spiders.

“Fortunately,thewolfspidersthey resemble are relatively harmless as long as you give them their space and let them go about their business of eating the other bugs that are living in your house,” he said.