How to Kill Crickets with Molasses

Most crickets are active at night and hide in cracks and crevices in your house during the day.

If you sit outside on a warm summer night, chances are you will hear the soothing sound of crickets chirping. Crickets are insects that are closely related to grasshoppers and katydids. And any enjoyment you may get from their chirping may soon turn to annoyance if they infest your home. They multiply rapidly and will lay eggs inside your house. Some crickets, such as house and field crickets, feed on fabrics such as linen, cotton and wool. When present in large numbers, crickets can cause considerable damage. You can use a very simple method to get rid these chirping critters in your home.

Things You'll Need

• Glass jars
• Molasses

Instructions

1. Look for signs of cricket infestation, such as cricket droppings. They are about 1/4 inch long, black, hard and with ends that look like they've been cut. Of course, if you hear chirping or actually see the crickets, then you already know where they are hiding out in your house.

2. Fill a glass jar about halfway full with water.

3. Pour in a few tablespoons of molasses and mix well.

4. Place the jar on the floor where you know crickets are residing or active in your house. You can use several jars. Set the jars at dusk or during the night, when crickets are usually more active. Crickets will be attracted to the molasses, jump in the jar and drown.

Tips & Warnings

• Add lemon juice, vanilla extract or dog food to the molasses and water mixture. These additions will increase the cricket's attraction to the jar.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension: Crickets
• Environment Canada: Insect and Animal Pests
• Ohio State University Extension: General Household Pests - Crickets
• Home and Garden Ideas: Complete Guide to Exterminating Crickets