Crickets are primarily nocturnal insects, performing most activities under the cover of darkness. When the sun rises, they retreat to secluded locations to manage two primary survival pressures: avoiding intense heat and dehydration, and evading predation. This daytime hiding behavior allows the cricket to conserve energy and reduce its exposure to threats like birds, rodents, and reptiles. Crickets seek dark, cool, and relatively humid conditions, whether they are located in a field or within a home.
Seeking Shelter in the Natural Environment
Crickets in outdoor environments seek microclimates that offer protection from direct sunlight and high temperatures, which can quickly lead to desiccation. These conditions are often found in areas that retain moisture and provide dense physical barriers, allowing the cricket to thermoregulate effectively. Field crickets, for instance, burrow into loose, moist soil or seek shelter under various forms of ground cover.
Specific outdoor hiding places include dense leaf litter, thick mulch, or beneath rocks, logs, and woodpiles. These materials create a stable, shaded environment where humidity levels remain high, even on hot days. Crickets also utilize deep cracks and crevices in the soil or foundation areas, which provide darkness and a buffer against external temperature fluctuations. Certain species, like mole crickets, use shovel-like forelegs to tunnel through loose soil near lawns and gardens, remaining underground during the day and emerging only at night.
Seeking Shelter in Structures and Homes
When environmental conditions become unfavorable—such as during periods of excessive heat, cold, or drought—crickets will often migrate toward man-made structures that mimic their preferred natural habitat. Once inside a building, they continue to seek out spaces that are cool, dark, and damp, often utilizing areas that are infrequently disturbed by human activity. Basements and crawl spaces are particularly attractive to species like the camel cricket, as these areas commonly harbor the high humidity levels and darkness they require for survival.
Crickets will also retreat to voids and confined spaces that offer physical protection and a consistent temperature. Common indoor hiding spots include the dark recesses behind large appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and water heaters, which often provide residual warmth and a sheltered space. Other locations include utility closets, floor drains, and the hidden spaces within wall voids or beneath baseboards, where they can remain undisturbed and protected throughout the day. Clutter, such as piles of stored boxes or unused laundry, also provides easily accessible shelter.