Drought causes cricket infestation

The recent heat and drought plaguing green country have caused infestations of several types of bugs and insects.

A few weeks ago FOX23 News reported on a black widow spider infestation. Now crickets are trying to take over Tulsa.

Kenda Woodburn with the OSU Extension in Tulsa says the cricket population isn't necessarily larger than normal this summer. But they are coming closer to people because of the heat and drought.

"They're just now maturing," Woodburn said. "And they're looking to mate and lay eggs."

"There isn't a lot of places to lay eggs where it's moist enough, so some of them are looking inside where there's more moisture."

The result is swarms of crickets hanging outside doors of homes, businesses, and even churches.

"They really don't cause any trouble," Shari Goodwin, Communications Director at the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, said. "We know they're coming about once a year. And they are a little bit of a nuisance, but not a big problem."

Getting rid of them can be tricky, though.

"With the crickets, it's mostly just to get to the adults," Roger Graham, General Manager for Arrow Exterminators, said. "Just to stop the production of the eggs."

"One or two treatments usually is not effective. You need to be on a constant program to be effective with the treatment."

Well-watered flower beds, especially ones with mulch, are prime targets for the crickets. Since few people are willing to give up their flower beds or stop watering their gardens and lawns, there's not a whole lot they can do to keep the crickets from coming around.

The only solution is to keep spraying insecticide until they're gone, which won't be soon.

"I would say at least for another couple of months until later fall," Graham said.