Cricket Catching 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Capturing These Chirping Creatures

Crickets, with their incessant chirping, can be either a charming soundtrack to a summer evening or a frustrating nuisance depending on your perspective. Whether you’re trying to obtain them for reptile food, want to relocate a few that have wandered indoors, or simply are curious about these fascinating insects, knowing how to catch them is a useful skill. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods, from simple to more intricate, ensuring you can successfully capture crickets with minimal fuss.

Understanding Crickets: Before You Begin

Before diving into the techniques, it’s helpful to understand a little about cricket behavior. Crickets are nocturnal insects, meaning they are most active at night. They are attracted to dark, damp, and warm environments. They often seek shelter under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and in cracks and crevices. This knowledge will inform our trapping strategies. There are several species of crickets, but the common house cricket is the type you’ll most often encounter indoors. Outside, you’ll find field crickets that tend to be larger and darker.

The Importance of Being Patient and Observant

No matter which method you choose, patience is key. Crickets are quick and can be startled easily. Observe their habits in your location: Where do you see them most frequently? When are they most active? This information will significantly increase your chances of success. Listen for their chirping – it’s a reliable guide to their locations, particularly in the dark.

Method 1: The Jar Trap (Simple & Effective)

This is perhaps the easiest and most accessible method for catching crickets, suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. You will need:

• A glass or plastic jar (a wide-mouthed jar works best)
• Bait: Bread, a piece of fruit (apple, banana), or a small piece of potato
• A small amount of water (optional, but helpful if the bait is dry)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Jar: Clean the jar thoroughly and dry it. This ensures that no lingering smells will deter the crickets.
2. Place the Bait: Place the bait at the bottom of the jar. If using a dry bait, like bread, slightly dampen it with a few drops of water. This will make it more appealing to the crickets and provide some moisture if they remain in the jar for some time.
3. Position the Jar: Find a location where you’ve seen or heard crickets. Place the jar on its side, with the opening facing the direction you expect the crickets to come from.
4. Check Periodically: Leave the jar overnight and check it in the morning. If you’re trapping indoors, it’s best to check it before dawn to minimize escape chances.
5. Retrieving the Crickets: If you caught crickets, carefully cover the opening of the jar with a piece of cardboard or a lid before moving it. This prevents escapes.

Tips for Jar Traps:

• To make the jar more appealing, you can roughen the inside edge of the jar’s opening with a bit of sandpaper. This can give crickets something to grip onto as they explore.
• Place multiple jar traps in different locations for better results.
• Consider creating a ramp leading to the jar opening by using a small stick or piece of cardboard. This makes it easier for the crickets to climb in.

Method 2: The Sticky Trap (Monitoring & Control)

Sticky traps, often used for pest control, can also effectively capture crickets. However, they are less humane as the crickets get stuck and will eventually die. Therefore, this method should be used more as a monitoring strategy rather than for catching them for relocation. You will need:

• Sticky traps (available at hardware stores and online)
• Optional: Bait (a small piece of bread or fruit)

Instructions:

1. Placement of Traps: Place sticky traps along baseboards, near potential entry points, and other areas where you’ve noticed cricket activity.
2. Optional Baiting: While not always necessary, you can place a small piece of bait in the center of the trap to further attract crickets.
3. Monitoring: Check the traps daily. If you’ve caught crickets, dispose of the trap (and the crickets) in a sealed bag or container.

Important Considerations for Sticky Traps:

• Keep sticky traps away from pets and children.
• Be aware that non-target insects or small animals can get caught as well.
• Sticky traps can be messy, and the sticky residue is hard to remove, so handle with care.

Method 3: The Cardboard Trap (Simple & Environmentally Friendly)

This method uses readily available materials and is a good way to catch crickets without harming them. It relies on crickets seeking dark and sheltered spaces. You will need:

• A piece of cardboard (about the size of a small plate)
• A small amount of water (a few drops)
• Optional: A small amount of bait (a sprinkle of oatmeal or a bit of fruit)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cardboard: Moisten the cardboard lightly with a few drops of water. This helps attract crickets. If using bait, sprinkle it on the center of the cardboard.
2. Position the Cardboard: Place the cardboard in a location where you’ve seen or heard crickets. Usually, near walls, baseboards, or in dark corners works best. Place it horizontally, flat on the ground.
3. Check Regularly: Check under the cardboard every few hours or the next morning. Crickets will often seek shelter under it.
4. Capturing the Crickets: Quickly scoop up the crickets using a cup or a container before they can escape.

Tips for Cardboard Traps:

• You can use a slightly larger piece of cardboard for a greater trapping area.
• Elevating the cardboard slightly using small pebbles can create a better space for crickets to enter.
• This method is also suitable for catching other small insects as well.

Method 4: The Sweep Net (Outdoors and Large Catches)

If you are trying to catch a large number of crickets outdoors, particularly in grassy or bushy areas, a sweep net can be an effective tool. You will need:

• A sweep net (available at some garden supply stores or online)
• A container or jar to hold the crickets

Instructions:

1. Sweep the Area: Using the sweep net, sweep through grass, bushes, and other areas where crickets are likely to hide. Move the net quickly and firmly.
2. Empty the Net: Periodically, empty the contents of the net into a container or jar. Be careful as crickets are quick and may escape.
3. Repeat: Continue sweeping until you’ve captured the desired number of crickets.

Tips for Using a Sweep Net:

• Sweep in different directions and depths.
• Work early in the morning or later in the evening when crickets are more active.
• Avoid sweeping too hard which might damage the surrounding plants or ground.

Method 5: Hand Catching (Direct & Targeted)

For a more direct approach, especially with slower crickets, hand catching can be possible. You will need:

• A small container or jar to put the crickets in.
• Good reflexes and patience.

Instructions:

1. Locate the Cricket: Identify a cricket that is relatively stationary.
2. Approach Slowly: Slowly and carefully approach the cricket. Crickets have a good sense of vibration, so avoid sudden movements.
3. Capture: Quickly scoop or gently grasp the cricket, being careful not to harm it. Alternatively, you can use a cup to scoop it into the container or jar.
4. Secure the Cricket: Place the cricket in a suitable container.

Tips for Hand Catching:

• Practice makes perfect. Initially, you may not catch many, but with practice, you’ll get better at this method.
• If the cricket is near a wall or baseboard, you can use a piece of paper or cardboard to guide it into a container.
• If you want to release it, be gentle and avoid crushing it.

Dealing with Large Infestations: Prevention is Key

If you’re dealing with a large number of crickets, it’s important to focus on prevention in addition to trapping. Here are a few things you can do:

• Seal Entry Points: Check your home for any cracks or crevices where crickets can enter. Seal these openings using caulk or other appropriate materials.
• Remove Debris: Clear away leaves, wood piles, and other debris near your foundation where crickets like to hide.
• Reduce Moisture: Repair any leaky pipes or faucets. Ensure that your home is well-ventilated to reduce dampness.
• Minimize Lighting: Crickets are attracted to lights at night. Consider using yellow or sodium vapor lights, or turning off unnecessary exterior lighting.
• Maintain your lawn: Keep your lawn trimmed and well-maintained as long grasses offer hiding places for crickets.

Ethical Considerations

When catching crickets, especially if you don’t plan to keep them, it’s important to handle them humanely. Avoid using methods that may cause them unnecessary suffering. If you catch crickets and plan to relocate them, release them in a suitable environment. Releasing them in a neighbor’s house or a highly trafficked area may cause more harm than good. Select a sheltered and natural area to release them and avoid places where they may be readily preyed upon. If you are catching them as reptile feed ensure that the environment you hold them in is suitable for them, is clean and that they are fed appropriately.

Conclusion

Catching crickets is a surprisingly engaging process that can be both practical and educational. By understanding their behavior and utilizing a variety of trapping methods, you can effectively manage crickets in and around your home. Whether you choose a simple jar trap or a more active approach, remember to be patient and observant. And lastly, approach the task with respect for these little creatures and consider their well-being along the way. Armed with this guide, you can successfully catch crickets for whatever purpose you may have in mind.