The Sights and Sounds of Fall

One of the very first signs that autumn is upon us is the rhythmic, melodic chirp of crickets on an end-of-summer evening. As temperatures begin to drop and nature prepares itself for the change of seasons, you may begin to see an abundance of both crickets and spiders drawn to the warmth and the shelter provided by your home. This is normal, as both Maryland crickets and spiders seek to lay the eggs that will repopulate their species during this season.

Crickets

There are two main types of Maryland crickets you’ll probably start seeing in the fall: the field cricket and the camel cricket. Fall is a very important time in a cricket’s life cycle. The female crickets seek out loose, moist soil rich with organic material in which to lay their eggs. The eggs will overwinter and hatch in the spring, leaving the new crickets to go through a series of molts before reaching adulthood.

Generally, the first sign of a cricket invasion is the sound of their unique chirp. Only male crickets chirp, and they produce the sound by rubbing their wings together. You can here their melodic sound here:

As Maryland crickets search for a warm shelter, they will undoubtedly find their way into your home. Crickets don’t usually bite, but if trapped or caught they can leave welts on your hands. If you can’t scoop them up and carry them outside, put some cornmeal down on a glue board to catch them. If they become overwhelming, give us a call!

Spiders

Spiders are perhaps one of the most misunderstood and least welcome critters in your home, but they are an important member of the Maryland ecosystem. While they don’t exclusively feed on only pests, they do control many insect populations, which helps keep the entire ecosystem in balance. It’s common to see an increase in spiders as Fall approaches because male spiders are looking for mates while female spiders seek safe places to lay their eggs.

There are a number of spiders native to Maryland that are relatively harmless. Most will make webs in solitary areas in your home and snag other indoor insects to eat. There is one spider native to Maryland that you should watch for, though: the black widow. Their bites are extremely painful and can be dangerous. They can be identified by the red hour-glass like shape on their body. If you find one in your home, you can attempt to trap it or take a picture of it so it can be properly identified later by an expert. In the case of a bite, seek immediate medical attention and try to catch the spider that bit you so that the proper anti-venom can be administered.

If you spot some of these fall fest pests and need assistance, don’t hesitate to call us.