Species Insects & ArthropodsHouse Cricket

House Cricket

Acheta domesticus

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of House Cricket (Acheta domesticus)

The House Cricket is a familiar tan-brown cricket from Eurasia that has been kept in captivity for centuries and is commercially raised as feed for pets and increasingly as a protein-rich food for humans. In North America it is largely a human commensal, sheltering in warm buildings and producing its iconic chirping song year-round indoors. Males rub their wings together to chirp.

Habitat
Buildings, warm garbage areas, and disturbed outdoor habitats
Diet
Adults and nymphs: omnivorous — organic matter, fungi, and food scraps
How common
Common

Best time to see a House Cricket

The best time to see a House Cricket is February–August, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 397 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a House Cricket? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent House Cricket sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a House Cricket? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a House Cricket is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More insects & arthropods

House Fly
House Fly
Musca domestica
Hummingbird Clearwing
Hummingbird Clearwing
Hemaris thysbe
Imperial Moth
Imperial Moth
Eacles imperialis
Imported Willow Leaf Beetle
Imported Willow Leaf Beetle
Plagiodera versicolora
Io Moth
Io Moth
Automeris io
Isabella Tiger Moth
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
Japanese Beetle
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
July Highflier Moth
July Highflier Moth
Hydriomena furcata