Can Crickets Climb Walls? {How Do They Do It?}

Are you wondering how crickets reach the top of lids, ceilings and ledges? Are they jumping or climbing? Can Crickets Climb Walls?

How do crickets get vertical and stick to walls? How do they climb trees? Are some crickets better at climbing walls than others?

In this article, we’ll find out all there is to know about whether or not crickets can climb walls.

Can Crickets Climb Walls?

Yes. Crickets have adapted to become strong climbers in nature. They are able to use that skill to climb walls inside and outside our homes. It’s actually quite easy for them to do so.

They have many hairs on the pads of their limbs that expel an oily substance. This makes the tips of the hairs stick to surfaces like walls.

Not only can they stick to walls, they have enough traction to lift themselves up and climb tall buildings as a result.

How Do You Get Crickets Out of Your Walls?

Do you hear crickets inside your walls? How did they get there? It’s hard to understand how crickets operate, but we know that they can use their sticky hairs on their legs to adhere to surfaces and climb the exterior or interior of walls.

It’s time to get them out of the wall. Add a few spoons of sticky molasses in a bowl that is shallow. Fill the rest of the bowl with water.

You can now add baking soda or boric acid in the bowl. A spoon of either will suffice. Crickets will come out of hiding to taste this sweet nectar and they will not be able to taste anything else ever again. This is a trap to get rid of crickets in any location.

How Do You Keep Crickets From Climbing?

Crickets are adept to climbing up many surfaces. The best way to stop them from climbing their enclosure you wish to set up is by using containers made of smooth plastic.

Glass is also another surface that crickets have trouble sticking to. Choose the smoothest plastic or glassware. You can also place strapping tape on a container to prevent them from getting out.

Crickets will climb walls if they get the chance. The sticky, oily secretion from their pads helps the hairs on their legs stick to walls. You will have to avoid this by keeping them in smooth plastic or glass containers and tanks.

How Do Crickets Climb Walls?

The numerous hairs on the pads of crickets contain an oily secretion. This makes the tips of their hairs very sticky and able to gain traction when they attempt to climb walls.

The extra stickiness allows them to stay in place on a wall, branch, bark or any vertical surface when they are concerned about a possible threat.

Crickets would rather climb walls in the dark to avoid any predators. The pads typically contain numerous hairs that secrete an oily substance that causes the tips of the hairs to adhere to the surface.

Are Crickets Good Climbers?

Yes. Crickets are one the best climbing insects in the world. They are active without the need to use their wings. Climbing conserves their energy because they aren’t making much effort when their legs are simply sticking to surfaces.

Crickets climb fast over flat surfaces without much difficulty. You will need very smooth plastic or glass to slow them down or prevent them from climbing. Some species of crickets climb better than others.

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Which Crickets Climb The Best?

There are many species of crickets and they are great climbers as a whole. Some might be better than others. Let’s take a closer look at our top 4 climbing crickets:

  1. Camel Crickets
  2. Spider Crickets
  3. Cave Crickets
  4. Green Crickets

1. Camel Crickets

These crickets jump and climb in a stealth way. That is because they do not chirp or make noises. Camel crickets tend to climb walls in the dark and do not need light to see where they are going. This puts them at the top of our list.

2. Spider Crickets

We all know how well spiders climb. Attaching the name of a spider to a cricket is a compliment like no other. These spider crickets jump, crawl and climb very easily. They have longer legs resembling a spider and they take great advantage of them.

3. Cave Crickets

Cave Crickets have legs that are even longer than spider crickets. They exhibit the fastest climbing skills from all crickets, but they also don’t need to utilize this ability often due to their sedentary nature.

4. Green Crickets

These green crickets are observed in nature to be climbing vertically very often. They are active crickets who enjoy climbing more than most of their counterparts. They have excellent pace and agility that would make a professional climber very envious.

Although crickets are known for being chirpy all night long, they are better known in their world for being one of the best climbers from all insects. The top 4 above are our winners.

Why Do Crickets Climb Walls?

Because they can! Crickets are able to jump, crawl and climb with ease. It’s a natural instinct for them to climb vertical surfaces to evade threats and look for mates.

Why are some walls better than others for crickets to climb? Let’s take a closer look at two types of walls:

  • Damp Walls
  • Bathroom Walls

Damp Walls

Walls that are damp are inviting for crickets who routinely enjoy the dew off leaves in the wild. If you outer walls are damp, it may attract cricket to climb and absorb the moisture to stay hydrated.

Bathroom walls

Bathroom walls are also moist or damp following showers or bathing. Crickets are drawn to the heat and moisture of a bathroom. The walls is safer than the floor to avoid larger predators of human feet from stomping on them.

Which Walls Can Crickets Not Climb?

Crickets will have a hard time climbing extremely smooth walls. They are limited when their sticky hair on their legs cannot find any traction with a very smooth wall. Here are two types of walls that crickets have a hard time climbing:

  • Smooth Plastic or PVC walls
  • Glass Walls

Smooth Plastic Walls

The smooth plastic walls are great for cricket containers to prevent them from climbing out. Once a cricket is able to jump out of a shallow plastic container and attach itself to a plaster, concrete, stucco or brick wall, it’s game on. It will climb again with ease.

Glass Walls

Some glass walls are glossier than others. Crickets will have a hard time sticking to the smooth film on glass. They will struggle to find and hold their grip.

This is why a glass tank to house crickets is a good idea to keep them safely inside and not worry about them trying to climb out.

How Do I Keep Crickets Out of my Walls?

Do you need some strategies or items in place to prevent crickets from getting in your walls or climbing on them?

Here are few tips for you to look around your home and find some helpful products. You might need a quick trip to the store to arm yourself with wall climbing prevention tools:

Sweet Molasses

Crickets love sweet nectar. Molasses is too sticky for them to climb out of. You can place molasses in a bowl and they will get stuck once they climb in. You can use a plastic or paper bowl and throw it out once the cricket is stuck in there.

Bug Spray (insecticide)

The classic remedy should be used sparingly because of the toxic fumes that can affect us indirectly. Spray willingly outside your home if you feel the need. The spray will knock down a cricket off a wall in no time.

Sticky Traps

Where are these crickets hiding? Are they in the walls or corners deep inside cabinets? Lay some sticky traps to catch these crickets who are invading your home.

Suck Up The Eggs

Have you found any cricket eggs? Suck them into a vacuum cleaner and make sure to dispose of the content in the vacuum’s bag outside.

Is It Bad to Have Crickets in your House?

Crickets are not dangerous and shouldn’t be a health concern. The problem is their incessant noise and unwanted intruders in your home who were never invited.

Crickets are a nuisance pest for their ability to invade our home with their climbing, jumping and crawling skills. Crickets could end up feeding on fabrics in your home such as:
cotton

  • silk
  • wool
  • fur
  • linen

Leave a bowl of sticky molasses sitting out and watch how crickets in your home get stuck in it. Discard the disposable bowl and say goodbye to these crickets.

Conclusion

Crickets are excellent climbers and one of the best at it in the insect world. They climb, jump or crawl their way into your home and it’s time to get them out.

Smooth plastic or glass prevents most crickets from being able to climb walls. A glass tank is the best place to house crickets if you plan on keeping them captive.

 

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Jason Barrett

Hello, I'm Jason. I have 11 years of experience in dealing with pests. I try to provide you the best information that'll help you to make the pest control process easy & affordable