House Crickets, Organisms & Their Ecosystems

According to the University of Florida Extension, house crickets (acheta domesticus) are found throughout the eastern United States, except the Florida peninsula. House crickets are also found in Southern California.

Crickets

• The University of Missouri Extension reports that house crickets grow to between .75 and 1 inch in length, with younger house crickets identified by being smaller and wingless. When reared at their ideal temperature of between 80 and 90 F., the house cricket completes its life cycle in between two and three months.

Ecosystem

• The University of Arizona Center for Insect Science reports that the cricket can positively affect its ecosystem by breaking down organic materials and renewing soil minerals. Crickets are also an important source of food for animals such as spiders, beetles and birds. As a negative, crickets can damage young seedlings, and in large numbers they can cause a large amount of plant destruction.

Habitat

• House crickets are usually found in and around municipal dumps, but can invade homes to find shelter from cold temperatures. The University of Missouri reports that when indoors, house crickets usually find warm, dark areas in which to reside.