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Cricket identification guide
Camel Crickets in Georgia Homes: How to Identify Them and Why They Come Inside
Camel crickets are hump-backed, wingless crickets with very long antennae and large hind legs that let them jump high and far. UGA says they are common in crawlspaces, wall voids, basements, sheds and other humid places, and that the first fix is to dry those areas out.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
Identification
Is it a camel cricket? Compare it with a field cricket
UGA describes camel crickets as hump-backed crickets with large hind legs that let them jump high and far, and long, slender antennae. Field crickets are the look-alike people see outdoors.
| Clue | Camel cricket | Field cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Up to 1.5 in. | About 3/4 in. |
| Look | Mottled gray and brown, hump-backed, with large hind legs and long, slender antennae. NC State adds that adults have no wings | Dark brown with enlarged hind legs for jumping |
| Where | Crawlspaces, wall voids, basements, sheds and other humid places | Outdoors in woodpiles and under boards or other flat items lying on the ground |
| Season | Tied to moisture rather than a season | Adult populations peak in late summer |
UGA also lists cockroaches as look-alikes for both kinds of cricket. Camel crickets have long antennae and a humped back, while spiders have no antennae at all, which separates camel crickets from the large spiders they are sometimes mistaken for.
Why camel crickets come inside
Moisture is the common thread in every source below. UGA says to properly ventilate, dehumidify or otherwise dry the areas where camel crickets are found. NC State says camel crickets are attracted to cool, moist or humid areas in and around homes and often become a problem when the weather swings to extremes. Clemson adds that when conditions are dry, camel crickets may turn up in unusual places as they seek moister spots.
Crawlspaces and basements
UGA names crawlspaces, wall voids, basements and sheds as common places. NC State lists storage buildings, crawlspaces, basements and garages.
Same hiding places as other pests
UGA says camel crickets are commonly found living in the same areas as smokybrown cockroaches and cellar spiders, so one damp space can hold several pests.
Damage is mostly to stored items
NC State says they can damage stored items such as garments and linens. Clemson says indoors they can damage fine fabrics and houseplants, especially in large numbers.
What helps, in order
This is the order the university sources point to: fix the moisture first, then trap or bait what is left.
- Dry out the space. UGA says to ventilate, dehumidify or otherwise dry the areas where camel crickets are found. NC State says to reduce moisture indoors, including basements and crawlspaces.
- Fix what feeds the dampness. UGA advises directing rainwater, downspouts and air-conditioner condensate away from the foundation, and keeping groundcovers at least 1.5 feet from the foundation walls. NC State says to keep mulch and ground cover at least 12 inches from the foundation.
- Seal the entries. NC State says to caulk or seal gaps around window frames and doors.
- Trap and clear. NC State suggests sticky boards in corners and behind appliances. Clemson says sticky traps near doorways, or a vacuum for small numbers, can be very effective, and to discard the vacuum bag to avoid reinfestation.
- Use bait or spray last. UGA says to spread granular bait or apply gel bait where camel crickets are found, and that a localized treatment with a properly labeled residual spray is an option. NC State says pesticides can reduce the nuisance but are not a long-term solution.
Clemson cautions against spraying in confined basements or crawlspaces and says to follow the label carefully.
When to call a professional
Call if camel crickets keep coming back after you have dried the area, if the dampness itself is the problem, or if you are not sure what is living in a crawlspace or basement. Pest Control Atlanta provides cricket control, and also offers crawl space encapsulation, which addresses crawl space moisture. Describe what you are seeing and where, and we will talk through your options.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Are camel crickets the same as the crickets I hear chirping?
No. UGA describes field crickets as dark brown, about 3/4 inch, and found outdoors in woodpiles and under boards, with populations peaking in late summer. Camel crickets are hump-backed, up to 1.5 inches, mottled gray and brown, and live where humidity is high. NC State notes adult camel crickets have no wings.
Why are there camel crickets in my basement or crawlspace?
UGA lists crawlspaces, wall voids, basements and sheds as common places, and NC State says they are attracted to cool, moist or humid areas. Drying the space out is the first step UGA recommends.
Are camel crickets harmful?
The sources reviewed describe damage rather than danger. NC State says they can damage stored items such as garments and linens, and Clemson says they can damage fine fabrics and houseplants, especially in large numbers.
Do pesticides get rid of camel crickets?
NC State says pesticides can help reduce the nuisance but are not a long-term solution. UGA lists granular or gel bait and, if desired, a localized treatment with a properly labeled residual spray, after you dry out the area.
Is it a camel cricket or a spider?
Camel crickets have a humped back, large jumping hind legs and long, slender antennae, as UGA describes them. Spiders do not have antennae, so a long-antennaed jumper is a cricket.
What can I do for a few crickets?
Clemson says sticky traps near doorways, or a vacuum for small numbers, can be very effective. Discard the vacuum bag to avoid reinfestation.
Where this information comes from
Sources
Facts about identification, biology and safety come from the sources below, retrieved on October 7, 2026. Publication or review dates are given where the source shows one.
- Insect and Arthropod Pests of Southeastern Neighborhoods: A Guide to Identification and Management (Bulletin 1412), UGA Extension — revised June 2023 per the PDF; the UGA page lists October 20, 2023
- Camel Crickets, NC State Extension — by Waldvogel, Alder and Hayes; published June 1, 2018, reviewed June 14, 2023
- Camel Crickets (HGIC 2405), Clemson Cooperative Extension — by Zungoli and Benson; published May 1999 (older source)
- Cockroaches (order Blattaria), UGA Integrated Pest Management — September 21, 2022; used for the foundation and drainage advice
More identification guides
Browse the full Atlanta Pest Library, or read another identification guide:
Camel crickets keep coming back?
Call Pest Control Atlanta to talk through where you are seeing them. If dampness is the cause, we can talk through that too.
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