Post by L Roebuck on Jul 22, 2006 7:03:59 GMT -5
Cave crickets visit area homes after recent heavy rains
Humid weather beckons nuisances inside, including inch-long bugs, springtails
BY BEA CHANG
DAILY RECORD
RANDOLPH -- After 40 years of living in town, Bob Grayson discovered a new type of bug in his house -- cave crickets.
"I didn't even know there was another species of crickets," he said of bugs that invaded his basement in the aftermath of the recent heavy rains.
With body sizes of about one inch, large hind legs and tan colors, cave crickets usually dwell outdoors under large stones and inside caves, said Peter Nitzesche, a Morris County Agricultural Agent at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
The humid weather, however, has made basement areas more to the cave crickets' liking. In addition, Nitzesche said, the moisture increased the mobility of the cave crickets, which enter houses through cracks in the structure or under the doors.
"Any home that is taking in water may experience an increase in pests," said Richard Cooper, the technical director at Cooper Pest Solutions and a pest control professional.
Although they do not bite or create noises, they are a disturbance to people.
"I know a lot of people around here that are having difficulties with them," Grayson said.
"The biggest problem is their nuisance," Nitzesche said, "Because of their size, people are disturbed by their presence in their homes. They sometimes could cause damage to fabric materials."
Nitzesche recommends that residents reduce humidity and dampness in the basement areas, seal entry points and use pesticides to abate the number of cave crickets in the houses.
Another disturbing pest that poses no health or structural threat is the springtail, Cooper said.
Although they are small insects, Cooper said, springtails "can invade homes in very large numbers."
"All the moisture that we've had has stimulated a lot of springtail activity," Cooper said.
Exacerbating the problem, according to Cooper, is the current lack of effective products to control the pepper-like springtails. About five years ago, the products, which once successfully controlled springtail population, disappeared from the market due to environmental pressure and economic loss.
Unfortunately, Cooper said, "there are not a lot of effective options out there when they invade in large numbers."
Article: www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060722/COMMUNITIES/607220342/1203
Humid weather beckons nuisances inside, including inch-long bugs, springtails
BY BEA CHANG
DAILY RECORD
RANDOLPH -- After 40 years of living in town, Bob Grayson discovered a new type of bug in his house -- cave crickets.
"I didn't even know there was another species of crickets," he said of bugs that invaded his basement in the aftermath of the recent heavy rains.
With body sizes of about one inch, large hind legs and tan colors, cave crickets usually dwell outdoors under large stones and inside caves, said Peter Nitzesche, a Morris County Agricultural Agent at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
The humid weather, however, has made basement areas more to the cave crickets' liking. In addition, Nitzesche said, the moisture increased the mobility of the cave crickets, which enter houses through cracks in the structure or under the doors.
"Any home that is taking in water may experience an increase in pests," said Richard Cooper, the technical director at Cooper Pest Solutions and a pest control professional.
Although they do not bite or create noises, they are a disturbance to people.
"I know a lot of people around here that are having difficulties with them," Grayson said.
"The biggest problem is their nuisance," Nitzesche said, "Because of their size, people are disturbed by their presence in their homes. They sometimes could cause damage to fabric materials."
Nitzesche recommends that residents reduce humidity and dampness in the basement areas, seal entry points and use pesticides to abate the number of cave crickets in the houses.
Another disturbing pest that poses no health or structural threat is the springtail, Cooper said.
Although they are small insects, Cooper said, springtails "can invade homes in very large numbers."
"All the moisture that we've had has stimulated a lot of springtail activity," Cooper said.
Exacerbating the problem, according to Cooper, is the current lack of effective products to control the pepper-like springtails. About five years ago, the products, which once successfully controlled springtail population, disappeared from the market due to environmental pressure and economic loss.
Unfortunately, Cooper said, "there are not a lot of effective options out there when they invade in large numbers."
Article: www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060722/COMMUNITIES/607220342/1203