If you’re losing sleep to the chirping sound of crickets, you’re not alone—especially here in Arizona where house crickets are common indoor invaders. That constant chirp-chirp-chirp is actually a “calling song” produced by male crickets rubbing their wings together in a process known as stridulation.
It’s how they attract female crickets for mating.
So, can you make them stop? Yes, but it’s not as simple as just yelling at them to pipe down. Here are a few proven tricks that can help quiet the noise around your home.
Key Takeaways
- Lowering your thermostat by a few degrees at night can quiet down the chirping sound of indoor crickets.
- Bright outdoor lights attract crickets to your home, and turning them off at night can keep them away.
- Gaps, clutter, and moisture indoors give crickets places to hide, so sealing and cleaning can drive them out.
- Sticky traps, white noise, peppermint spray, and pest control services all help stop crickets from chirping inside your home.
Trick #1: Start by Lowering the Temperature
Crickets are cold-blooded, so their activity—including chirping—slows down as temperatures drop.
In fact, there’s a direct correlation between the number of chirps per minute and the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want a quick way to hush the cricket noise, try lowering your thermostat at night. Just a few degrees cooler can make a noticeable difference, especially if they are inside your home.
Trick #2: Eliminate Outdoor Lighting That Attracts Them
Crickets are drawn to light like moths to a flame. Bright outdoor lights around your porch, garage, or backyard can attract different species of crickets and other nighttime insects. That increases the odds of them creeping inside.
Use motion-activated lights, switch to yellow bug lights, or simply turn off unnecessary lights at night to reduce attraction.
Trick #3: Seal Entry Points Around Your Home
If crickets are getting inside, you’ve got gaps or cracks somewhere. Adult crickets often slip through crevices around doors, windows, vents, and utility lines. Grab some caulk or weatherstripping and seal those gaps up tight.
A well-sealed home doesn’t just keep crickets out—it helps block out all kinds of pests.
Trick #4: Find and Remove Their Hiding Spots
Crickets love dark, damp places to hide during the day, such as under appliances, in laundry rooms, or behind storage boxes. Go on a hunt with a flashlight. Check basements, closets, garages—anywhere you think they might be nesting.
Removing clutter and reducing moisture will make your home a lot less appealing.
Trick #5: Use Cricket Traps in Key Areas
If you’ve got a specific area where their sound is strongest, set out sticky traps. These traps are great for capturing house crickets and other crawling pests without making a mess.
Place them near walls, baseboards, or corners where they are likely to travel.
Trick #6: Try Natural Repellents Like Essential Oils
Crickets pick up on smells easily and can learn to associate certain scents with food or danger.
Peppermint oil is known to be an effective natural repellent. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and spritz it around baseboards, entry points, and other hiding spots. You can also try citronella or eucalyptus oils.
While it is often used to help reduce cricket populations, one study found it didn’t affect waste. This confirms it isn’t guaranteed to work every time, but they’re worth trying if you’re looking for low-impact solutions.
Trick #7: Introduce White Noise to Drown Out the Chirping
If you’re struggling to sleep because of the cricket noise, a white noise machine might be your best friend. These machines don’t stop the chirping, but they can mask the sound enough to help you get some rest.
Choose a sound frequency that doesn’t compete with the higher-pitched cricket stridulation.
Stop Crickets for Good With Help From the Pros
If the problem keeps coming back—or you’re dealing with a full-blown infestation—it’s time to call in a pest control professional.
At Green Home Pest Control, we treat crickets as part of our standard pest control service. We’ll locate and treat cricket hotspots, remove hiding areas, and help prevent them from coming back. Plus, our methods are safe for families and pets, without the use of harsh materials.
Need help dealing with a cricket problem?
Contact us today to schedule an inspection. We serve homes throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Tucson.
21 years of pest control experience
Founder and Owner of Green Home Pest Control
13 year resident of Arizona
