Many people are startled when they see a Jerusalem cricket for the first time. It is a large insect. It is common for a Jerusalem cricket to be 2½” long.  It has a large head and beady black eyes. From the front it appears to have a tiny face. In Spanish it is often called el niño de la tierra – the child of the earth. It has also been called “the old bald man” and the potato bug.

There are several myths about this insect. One myth is that Jerusalem crickets are poisonous.  They can bite, but usually when they are cornered or when they are picked up. The bite can be painful, but there is no venom delivered.

Jerusalem cricket, Stenopelmatus fuscus (Haldeman), is native to the desert southwest, the western states, and along the Pacific coast.

It is yellow to brown in color. The adult does not have wings, so it moves around by hopping. It does not “chirp” like house and field crickets. The sound that it makes has been compared to a scratching or hissing sound.

Jerusalem crickets are active at night. The primary foods are roots, tubers, and insects. The ideal environment for these insects would be a garden or flowerbed. During the day, the Jerusalem crickets hide under rocks or logs. In extremely hot, dry seasons, these insects may move into homes. Inside, they seek out dark places to spend the day.

Most prevention of Jerusalem crickets can be done outdoors. Remove rocks, lumber, logs, and woodpiles where they might hide. Make sure exterior doors close tightly. Replace weather-strips that are missing or damaged. Move mulch a few inches away from the foundation to make a “dry zone”. Set sprinklers to come on in the morning so grass and flowerbeds will dry during the day.

An application of liquid insecticide on the outside foundation can help keep these insects from invading the house. If Jerusalem crickets get in, granular baits can be effective and provide fairly quick control. Call your local pest control professional.