Camel Cricket Identification Guide
Quick Facts About Camel Crickets
Camel crickets, also called cave crickets or spider crickets, are the humpbacked, long-legged crickets that fill damp Tennessee basements, crawl spaces, and garages. They look alarming and jump unpredictably, but they’re harmless.- Size: Body about 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches, with much longer legs and antennae
- Color: Tan to brown, often with darker mottling or bands
- Shape: Strongly arched, humped back
- Wings: None; they can’t fly and don’t chirp
- Where found: Basements, crawl spaces, garages, sheds, and under decks
- Active: At night, in dark, damp places
How to Identify Camel Crickets
The humped back and extremely long legs and antennae give them a spider-like look, which is where the nickname “spider cricket” comes from.Why They Jump at You
When startled, camel crickets leap, often toward whatever disturbed them. It’s a defense to startle predators, not an attack. They don’t bite.
Why They Live in Basements
Camel crickets need cool, humid, dark places. Basements, crawl spaces, and garages give them all three, and once inside, they can breed and build up over time. They eat fungi, plant material, fabric, cardboard, and other insects.
Damage and Nuisance
Camel crickets don’t bite, sting, or spread disease. In large numbers, they may chew stored fabrics, cardboard, and paper, and their droppings and dead bodies can be unpleasant.
How to Get Rid of Camel Crickets
- Lower humidity: Run a dehumidifier and fix leaks. For crawl spaces, see crawl space encapsulation.
- Seal entry points: Add weatherstripping, door sweeps, and seal gaps around basement windows, vents, and utility lines.
- Set sticky traps: Place them along walls and in corners of basements and garages.
- Clear clutter: Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard.
- Clean up the perimeter: Move woodpiles, stones, and debris away from the foundation.
If they keep returning, professional treatment of basements, crawl spaces, and the exterior helps. See our quarterly pest control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the big jumping crickets in my basement?
They’re likely camel crickets, also called spider crickets, which thrive in cool, damp basements and crawl spaces.
Do camel crickets bite?
No. They may jump toward you when startled, but they don’t bite or sting.
Why do camel crickets jump at you?
Leaping is a defense to startle predators. They’re not attacking.
Do camel crickets chirp?
No. They’re wingless and silent.
How do I get rid of camel crickets?
Lower humidity, seal entry points, set sticky traps, clear clutter, and move debris away from the foundation.
Related Pests
Schedule a Free Inspection
Camel crickets taking over the basement? U.S. Pest Protection will inspect at no cost, and regular perimeter treatments help keep occasional invaders outside. See our quarterly pest control.A real TN person answers. No call center.
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