Yale Park Homeowners Association
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Virus to Kill Fire Ants?As we walk outside in the evening, a new sound might greet us. This new sound might be the male cricket's mating song, which is a high-pitched sound produced by the male cricket rubbing his front wings together to attract a female.Crickets develop through simple metamorphosis, with an egg, nymph and adult stage. The female cricket will deposit eggs into the soil. The eggs hatch into nymphs, which gain wings every time they molt. Adult crickets are ½ to 1-¼ inches long, black in color, and have a stout body. Several generations of crickets are produced every year. Crickets feed on all organic matter, including decaying plant material and fungi. Since crickets breakdown plant materials, they are considered beneficial by renewing soil minerals. They are also a food source for many animals such as spiders, ground beetles, birds, lizards and small rodents. Crickets are normally outdoor insects, usually found under rocks, logs, and any crack or crevice. Since they live next to our homes, their song can become an irritant to homeowners. Also, they can enter our homes through such areas as doors and windows.  Red Imported Fire Ant Workers. Photo by: Bart Drees, Professor and Extension Entomologist, Texas A&M University. Mention of commercial products is for educational purposes only and does not represent endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension or The Texas A&M University System. Insecticide label registrations are subject to change, and changes may have occurred since this publication was printed. The pesticide user is always responsible for applying products in accordance with label directions. Always read and carefully follow the instructions on the container label.
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