TLDR: Crickets and grasshoppers are related but cause different problems. The easiest way to tell them apart is by their antennae: crickets have long, thin antennae longer than their body, while grasshoppers have short, stubby ones. Crickets are active at night, come indoors, and cause noise and fabric damage. Grasshoppers are active during the day, stay outside, and damage plants. Each needs a different control approach.
When you hear chirping outside your window at night or spot jumping insects in your garden, you might wonder if you have crickets or grasshoppers. These two insects are related, but they act very differently and need different approaches when they become a problem.
Both crickets and grasshoppers are jumping insects, but knowing their differences helps you figure out which one you have and what to do about it.
These two insects are more closely related than you might think.
Both crickets and grasshoppers belong to the insect order Orthoptera, meaning “straight wings.” They split into different groups based on body differences: grasshoppers belong to Caelifera (short antennae) while crickets belong to Ensifera (long antennae). This split reflects millions of years of adapting to different environments.
In our 57 years serving the DMV area, our family business has seen many cases where homeowners couldn’t tell these insects apart. The mix-up makes sense because both jump and make sounds. But knowing the key differences can save you time and effort.
Quick ID Guide: Cricket vs Grasshopper
The easiest way to tell them apart is by their antennae. Crickets have long, thin antennae that are often longer than their whole body. Grasshoppers have short, stubby antennae that are less than half their body length.
Color and size also help. Crickets are usually darker, ranging from brown to black. House crickets are yellow-tan with three dark bands on their head. Grasshoppers are often green or brown and can grow up to 50 mm, making them bigger than most crickets.
| Crickets | Grasshoppers | |
|---|---|---|
| Antennae | Long and thin | Short and stubby |
| Active Time | Night | Day |
| Sound Method | Wing rubbing | Leg rubbing |
| Diet | Omnivore (eats many things) | Plant feeder |
| Home Problems | Indoor noise, fabric damage | Garden and plant damage |
Another difference: cricket ears are on their front legs, while grasshopper ears are on their belly under their wings. This affects how they respond to sounds around them.
How Their Sounds Differ
The sounds these insects make are one of their most obvious differences. Crickets chirp by rubbing their wings together, making three types of songs: calling songs to attract mates, courtship songs during mating, and rivalry songs when competing with other males.
Grasshoppers do it differently. They rub their back legs against their front wings to make sound. Many grasshoppers also add a crackling noise called “crepitation” when they fly, which you might hear during hot summer afternoons.
Timing matters too. Crickets are loudest at dusk and through the night. Grasshoppers prefer sunny, warm conditions and make their sounds during the day.
When and Where They’re Active
Crickets are nocturnal. They’re most active at dusk and through the night. They’re drawn to lights, which is why they end up near windows and porch lights.
Grasshoppers are daytime creatures that thrive in sunny, warm weather. They prefer open areas like lawns, gardens, and field edges. During hot August afternoons in the DMV area, grasshopper activity peaks, leading to more plant damage.
Cricket Seasonal Patterns in the DMV
Different cricket species follow different schedules. Spring field crickets overwinter as nymphs and become adults from May through August. Fall field crickets lay eggs that survive winter, with adults singing from late July through October.
House crickets can breed nonstop indoors where it’s warm. Their life cycle takes 2-3 months at 80-90 degrees. Camel crickets stay active year-round in humid spots like basements and crawl spaces.
Grasshopper Life Cycle
Grasshoppers in the DMV area usually have one generation per year. They lay egg pods in soil during late summer. When soil warms in April and May, nymphs hatch and start eating.
Adult grasshoppers peak from June through September. The earliest lawn and garden damage usually shows up in late June when nymphs are half-grown and eating heavily.
What They Eat
Grasshoppers are plant feeders that can do major damage to gardens. They especially like leafy vegetables such as lettuce, beans, and potatoes, plus corn and ornamental plants.
Crickets eat almost anything. Outdoors, they feed on rotting organic matter, small insects, and plant material. When crickets get inside, they may nibble on fabrics, especially items with sweat, food residue, or natural fibers like wool and cotton.
This difference matters for homeowners. Grasshoppers focus damage on outdoor plants. Crickets can damage both outdoor plants and indoor fabrics.
Common Species in Our Area
Several cricket species invade DMV homes. House crickets are yellow-tan with three dark bands on their heads. Field crickets include both spring and fall species. Camel crickets are hump-backed and wingless.
Grasshoppers rarely settle indoors. Problems with them are almost always about outdoor plant damage. The species in our area usually move in from nearby fields, unmowed spots, or drought-stressed areas.
Why They Become Nuisances
Crickets cause problems in a few ways. The most common complaint is noise inside bedrooms and living areas. A single cricket can seem very loud indoors because hard floors and corners amplify the sound.
Crickets can also damage fabrics by nibbling on clothing, curtains, and furniture. They also bother homeowners who find them in basements and crawl spaces.
Grasshoppers are mainly a problem through plant damage. They can move in from nearby hay fields or unmowed lots during dry conditions. Large grasshoppers also cause concern around patios, pools, and outdoor living areas.
Prevention Steps
Good prevention starts with sealing and habitat changes. Seal cracks and gaps around your foundation, fix door sweeps, and screen crawl space vents. Caulk around pipes and wire holes to block indoor entry.
The University of Maryland Extension notes that keeping plants away from your home helps a lot. Keep ground covers, vines, and mulch at least 18 inches from your foundation. Mow lawns regularly and store firewood away from walls.
For outdoor lighting that draws crickets, switch to yellow “bug” bulbs or cut back on night lighting near doors and windows. This simple change can greatly reduce cricket activity near your home.
- Seal Entry Points: Caulk around pipes, fix door sweeps, and screen crawl space vents
- Keep Distance: Keep plants, mulch, and ground covers at least 18 inches from your foundation
- Reduce Lighting: Switch to yellow “bug” bulbs or cut back on night lighting near doors
- Control Moisture: Fix leaks and remove standing water around your home
These steps help keep both crickets and grasshoppers from becoming a bigger problem.
These steps help keep both crickets and grasshoppers under control before they need professional treatment.
Professional Control
When prevention isn’t enough, professional treatment can help. Our technicians use different methods for crickets and grasshoppers.
For crickets, we treat both indoors and out, targeting spots where they hide and travel. This includes crack-and-crevice work with non-repellent products inside, plus perimeter treatments around the exterior foundation.
Grasshopper control focuses on outdoor areas and garden protection. Research shows that timing is key.
Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension found that treating grasshopper nymphs when they’re 3/4 inch or smaller gives the best results. This targets them during their most vulnerable stage before they can fly and spread. Adult grasshoppers are much harder to control because they jump and scatter fast.
Non-Chemical Methods
Several non-chemical options work for both pests. For crickets, vacuuming gives fast relief indoors. Sticky traps in basements help track activity and catch wandering crickets.
For grasshoppers, planting early lets crops toughen up before peak feeding. Floating row covers protect young plants during the worst weeks. Mowing border areas removes plants that support grasshopper numbers.
For large-area grasshopper problems, Nosema locustae baits offer a biological option. These wheat-bran products work more slowly than chemical treatments but provide long-term grasshopper reduction.
When to Call a Pro
Get professional help when DIY methods don’t provide enough control. Ongoing indoor cricket noise, especially in bedrooms, often needs a pro to find and treat the breeding source.
For grasshoppers, professional treatment makes sense when major plant damage hits valuable landscaping or garden crops. Early treatment usually gives better results than waiting.
Our team brings over 50 years of experience with cricket and grasshopper problems in the DMV area. We’ve removed 9 of the harshest chemicals from our programs, using products we’d feel comfortable with in our own homes.
Call us at 703-683-2000 or email info@bettertermite.com for expert identification and a treatment plan for your situation.
