Camel Crickets
Various, mostly Ceuthophilus spp.
Camel Cricket Identification
Pest Stats
Color
Light to dark brown, often mottled with dark bands on some segments
Legs
Six
Shape
Humpbacked with long, very enlarged hind legs
Size
½”- 1 ½” (13-33 mm)
Antennae
Yes
Region
All
What do Camel Crickets Look Like?
Cave crickets are light to dark brown in color, often spotted with lighter or darker areas. Adults can grow to between 13 to 33 mm. Though lacking wings, they possess large hind legs and a lengthy set of antennae that helps them navigate dark environments.
Do Camel Crickets Bite?
Camel cricks do not pose any health threats to humans, as they lack fangs or the ability to bite. However, they can become a nuisance if they gain entry into a home. Some species have been known to damage clothing and other fabrics like curtains.
Camel Cricket Prevention
Are Camel Crickets Poisonous?
Posing no health risks to human, camel crickets are in fact not poisonous. Furthermore, these pests are not known to carry any diseases.
Camel Cricket Education
Habitat
Camel crickets are found outdoors around buildings, typically in cool, moist environments such as under mulch, stones, railroad ties, woodpiles and debris. Around homes, they can also be found in wells and drainage pipes, or under sheds and air conditioner units.
Indoors, camel crickets are often found in damp basements, utility rooms, crawl spaces, garages and occasionally in attics. They often invade structures when it becomes hot and dry outside.
Habits
Camel crickets are nocturnal, or active at night, and hide during the day. Typically residing outdoors, they can be found around buildings, typically in cool, moist environments such as beneath stones, mulch, railroad ties, woodpiles and debris. Furthermore, tall grass, weeds, caves, and holes in the ground are also common locations where these pests reside. Near homes, they can also be found in wells and drainage pipes, or under sheds and air conditioner units. When it becomes hot and dry outside, camel crickets may move inside as they struggle to reproduce outside of their preferred dark and damp environments. Once indoors, they are often found in damp basements, utility rooms, crawl spaces, garages and occasionally attics. Due to their tendency to congregate together, larger populations pose an increasing risk to cause damage at the site of infestation.
They often overwinter as young nymphs or adults, as camel crickets have the ability to live without sufficient food sources. Females will lay their eggs in early spring, preferring dark, warm and humid areas. These eggs will then typically hatch during April.
For food, camel crickets consume wood, carpet, fungi, cardboard, other insects, and even other camel crickets in some instances.