Greenhouse Camel Crickets Identification Guide
Tachycines asynamorus
Greenhouse camel crickets are invasive Asian insects that have become the most common indoor cricket species in eastern North American homes. These humpbacked, wingless crickets thrive in dark, moist environments and are frequently found in basements, crawl spaces, and garages.
Taxonomy
Greenhouse Camel Crickets Coloration
Common color patterns to help identify greenhouse camel crickets
Greenhouse Camel Crickets
Seasonal Activity
When greenhouse camel crickets are most active throughout the year
Where Greenhouse Camel Crickets Are Found
Hover over states to see their names. Green regions indicate where greenhouse camel crickets have been reported.
Greenhouse Camel Cricket Identification Guide
Physical Characteristics
Greenhouse camel crickets (Tachycines asynamorus) get their name from their humped back and their history in greenhouses. Adults are 13 to 19 millimeters long. This makes them a bit smaller than many native camel cricket species. But their very long legs and antennae make them look much larger.
Their color is tan and brown with darker bands across the body and legs. This banded look helps tell them apart from some native species. The outer shell has a spotted pattern. Their bodies are thick and arched. This creates the hump that gives all camel crickets their name.
Like all camel crickets, this species has no wings at any life stage. This sets them apart from true crickets in the family Gryllidae. Their strong back legs are built for jumping. These legs have about 60 small spines, which is twice as many as the related Diestrammena japanica. Their antennae are very long, often two to three times their body length. This helps them move around in the dark.
How to Tell Them Apart from Similar Pests
Several insects look like greenhouse camel crickets:
-
Native Camel Crickets (Ceuthophilus species): Native species are larger and darker. They are less common in homes than the greenhouse species. Studies show greenhouse camel crickets make up about 88 percent of camel crickets found indoors in eastern North America.
-
House Crickets: House crickets have wings and are yellowish-brown to tan. They chirp at night. Greenhouse camel crickets have no wings and make no sound.
-
Spiders: Long legs and a crouched stance make some people think these are spiders. But camel crickets have 6 legs while spiders have 8. Camel crickets also have very long antennae that spiders do not have.
Greenhouse Camel Cricket Behavior and Biology
Origin and Spread in North America
Greenhouse camel crickets came from China and possibly Japan. They were first found in North America in 1898 in a greenhouse in Minnesota. For many years, they seemed to live mainly in commercial greenhouses and other warm, humid places.
A 2014 study showed these crickets had spread much more than anyone knew. They had quietly become the most common cricket species in homes across the eastern United States. About 88 percent of camel crickets found in homes were this invasive species, not native ones.
Habitat Preferences
Greenhouse camel crickets prefer buildings over natural habitats. Native camel crickets usually live outdoors under logs, rocks, and leaf litter. But the greenhouse species does best in:
- Basements and cellars
- Crawl spaces
- Garages and storage buildings
- Utility rooms and laundry areas
- Bathrooms with moisture problems
- Boiler rooms and areas near water heaters
Studies show that more of these crickets are found near houses than far from them. They seem to be drawn to buildings on purpose rather than wandering in by accident.
Feeding Habits
Greenhouse camel crickets eat many things. They are scavengers that will feed on plant material and can harm seedlings. They eat:
- Living and dead plants
- Fungi and mold
- Dead insects, including other crickets
- Fruits, seeds, and flowers
- Fabric and paper
- Cardboard and other organic items
Their taste for seedlings and young plants is why they first moved into greenhouses. There, they can cause real damage to crops.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Greenhouse camel crickets breed all year in heated buildings. They mate and lay eggs only in the dark. Females place eggs in moist soil or other damp spots. The eggs hatch in several weeks based on temperature and moisture levels.
Young crickets look like tiny adults when they hatch. They shed their skin many times as they grow. There is no cocoon or pupal stage. With each molt they get bigger until they reach adult size.
Activity Patterns
These crickets are most active at dusk and at night. During the day, they hide in dark, sheltered spots. They come out after dark to feed and move about. Their long antennae help them sense what is around them even in total darkness.
How We Treat for Greenhouse Camel Crickets
Our treatment for greenhouse camel crickets uses the same methods we use for native camel crickets, millipedes, and centipedes. We combine targeted treatments with changes to your environment for lasting results.
Interior Inspection and Treatment
Our technician checks the inside of your home. We focus on areas where crickets are active or likely to hide:
- Basements and crawl spaces
- Garages and storage areas
- Bathrooms and laundry rooms
- Areas with moisture problems
- Utility rooms and spaces near water heaters
We look for the crickets, entry points like cracks and gaps, and signs of moisture problems. We apply a repellent insecticide to baseboards and other areas where camel crickets are active. This creates a barrier that pushes crickets away from treated spots.
Exterior Treatment
We also inspect the outside of your home. We focus on the foundation and perimeter. We pay close attention to mulch, landscaping, and other moist areas where crickets gather before coming inside.
We apply a granular insecticide around the exterior and in mulch or soil areas. This targets crickets at their source before they can enter your home. Since these crickets gather near buildings, exterior treatment is very important.
Moisture Control Tips
Greenhouse camel crickets need humid conditions to live. We give tips for making your home less appealing to them:
- Lower indoor humidity: Use dehumidifiers in basements and crawl spaces. Aim for humidity below 50 percent.
- Fix moisture sources: Repair plumbing leaks, improve drainage around the foundation, and fix condensation problems.
- Improve airflow: Make sure crawl spaces and basements have good ventilation. Consider vapor barriers.
- Create a dry buffer: Keep mulch and plants 12 to 18 inches away from your foundation.
Sealing Entry Points
Keeping crickets out is key for long-term control:
- Seal cracks and gaps in the foundation with caulk or foam
- Add weatherstripping to doors
- Make sure door sweeps fit tight against thresholds
- Seal gaps around pipes, wires, and utility lines
- Fix damaged window screens and seal gaps around frames
Ongoing Prevention
Our triannual pest control plan (three visits per year) provides regular treatment to keep crickets away. This ongoing care handles greenhouse camel crickets along with other common pests. Regular visits are important because these crickets can return quickly when conditions allow.
References
Other Crickets
Explore other species in the crickets family
Commonly Confused With
Greenhouse Camel Crickets are often mistaken for these similar pests
Where Greenhouse Camel Crickets Are Found
Hover over states to see their names. Green regions indicate where greenhouse camel crickets have been reported.
Common Questions about Greenhouse Camel Crickets
What is the difference between greenhouse camel crickets and native camel crickets?
+
Greenhouse camel crickets came from Asia. They are smaller and paler than native species. They have about 60 leg spines while related species have only 30. Studies show they make up about 88 percent of camel crickets found in homes.
Why are greenhouse camel crickets so common in homes?
+
They prefer buildings over natural habitats. They do well in the moist conditions found in basements and crawl spaces. Native camel crickets mostly live outdoors. But this species has adapted well to indoor life.
Do greenhouse camel crickets bite or sting?
+
No, they cannot bite or sting. They have no venom and pose no threat to people. Their sudden jumping can be startling, but they are harmless. They do not spread diseases.
Can greenhouse camel crickets damage my home?
+
They can cause minor damage to fabrics, paper, cardboard, and stored items if there are many of them. They eat plant matter, dead insects, and textiles. But their damage is low compared to pests like termites or carpet beetles.
Why don't greenhouse camel crickets chirp?
+
They have no wings at any life stage. Crickets chirp by rubbing their wings together. Since these crickets have no wings, they make no sound. This helps tell them apart from house crickets and field crickets.
Where did greenhouse camel crickets come from?
+
They are native to China and Japan. They were first found in North America in 1898 in a greenhouse in Minnesota. Since then, they have spread across the eastern United States and parts of Canada.
Are greenhouse camel crickets a sign of a moisture problem?
+
Yes, finding them indoors often points to excess moisture. They need humid conditions to live. Their presence may mean high humidity, plumbing leaks, poor drainage, or bad airflow in your basement or crawl space.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that's been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area.