Dallas residents who have not noticed an unusual amount of crickets this year are likely to do so as the fall progresses, a local pest control expert has said.
According to All That Crawls Pest Control’s Chris Penler, crickets breed in the summer and the number that make it to the fall depends on whether there were optimum breeding conditions, as well as the level of predators they had to avoid.
Penlar notes that lizards are helpful in holding down the cricket population, and it is possible that the lower number of crickets in the past few years have reduced the lizard population. Another possibility is that the public, not being overly enamored with lizards, may have affected the balance between lizards and their prey.
For whatever reason, after several years with low cricket density, this year there is an influx of the leaping insects. This many interest those with a passion for entomology, but is less likely be news received warmly by others.
Crickets seek shade and find mercury vapor lights more attractive than sodium. Adjusting outside light fixtures accordingly may help reduce the number of crickets that seek shelter on porches, stairwells and covered patios.
With the assistance of brochure printers, pest control companies and garden stores may seize this opportunity to promote themselves while informing the public on how best to deal with the increased numbers.
