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🧠 1. What Are Crickets?
Crickets (called Jhingur in Hindi) are nocturnal insects that chirp loudly at night but also feed destructively on young plants, seedlings, and vegetables.
🔬 Scientific Classification:
Common Name: Cricket
Scientific Family: Gryllidae
Order: Orthoptera
🔍 Identification:
Medium-sized brown or black insects
Long antennae and powerful hind legs
Make loud chirping sounds (males)
Mostly active at night
Size: 1 to 2 inches long
🪱 2. Lifecycle of Crickets
Stage Duration Behavior
Egg 7–10 days Laid in moist soil or cracks
Nymph 6–8 weeks Wingless, gradually molts
Adult 6–8 weeks Feeds, mates, lays eggs again
One female lays 100–200 eggs in moist soil
They breed rapidly in monsoon and summer
🥬 3. Crops & Plants Affected
Crop/Plant Damage Caused
Tomato, Brinjal Chewed leaves, stem damage
Leafy Greens Ragged holes, torn leaves
Young Seedlings Stem cut near ground, uprooting
Flower Plants Petals, buds chewed
Garden Plants Roots disturbed, soil burrowed
🔥 4. Damage Symptoms
🚨 Signs of Cricket Infestation:
Ragged edges or holes on leaves
Seedlings cut near soil level
Chirping sounds at night (especially in gardens)
Small tunnels near plant roots
Chewed petals or bud drop in flowers
🌡️ Conditions Favoring Outbreak:
Warm and moist climate
Dense vegetation, organic debris
Excess waterlogging or mulching
🌿 5. Organic Control Methods
🧄 Homemade Organic Sprays
- Garlic-Chili Spray
10 garlic cloves + 5 green chilies
Blend with 1 liter water
Let sit overnight, strain, and spray at dusk
- Neem Oil Spray
5ml neem oil + 1 liter water + mild soap
Spray in early morning or evening, once every 5–7 days
🍌 Natural Traps & Barriers
- Banana Peel Trap
Place banana peels in garden overnight
Crickets get attracted and hide
Dispose in the morning
- Molasses Bowl Trap
Mix 2 tbsp molasses in water
Put in shallow bowl in soil
Crickets drown in sweet bait
🌿 Biological Control:
Agent Function
Beauveria bassiana Fungal agent that kills crickets naturally
Metarhizium anisopliae Soil-based fungi that infects insects
Predators Birds, frogs, toads, and beneficial nematodes
🧪 6. Chemical Control (Use Only in Severe Infestation)
⚠️ Use only when natural methods fail or when infestation is over 30%.
Chemical Dose Effectiveness
Cypermethrin 10% EC 1ml per liter Strong knockdown effect
Deltamethrin 2.8% EC 1ml/liter Quick contact killer
Chlorpyrifos 20% EC 2–2.5ml/liter Strong residual control
Malathion 50% EC 2ml/liter For home garden or smaller farms
🧤 Precautions:
Wear gloves and mask
Don’t harvest fruits/vegetables for 7 days after spraying
Avoid spraying on flowering plants to protect bees
🏡 7. Home Garden Special: Natural Ways to Stop Crickets
Sticky Traps – Set near flower pots and roots
Coffee Grounds Barrier – Crickets avoid caffeine
Diatomaceous Earth – Sprinkle around pots to damage exoskeleton
Cinnamon Spray – Strong smell keeps crickets away
Cover seedlings – With wire mesh during nights
🧰 8. Tools for Garden Cricket Control
Tool Use
Solar Light Trap Kills flying adult crickets at night
Hand Pressure Sprayer For neem or garlic spray
Yellow Sticky Traps Attracts crawling insects
Shovel & Hoe For removing eggs hidden in soil cracks
Pheromone Traps (Optional) For early warning in large gardens
♻️ 9. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan
✅ Step-by-Step Approach:
Stage IPM Action Plan
Pre-Planting Deep ploughing, remove old debris
Seedling Stage Use garlic spray, monitor chirping sounds
Growth Stage Apply bio-controls, use traps
Flowering Avoid harsh chemicals, use barriers
After Harvest Remove mulch, till soil to expose eggs
📊 10. Economic Impact of Cricket Infestation
Factor Organic Control Chemical Control
Avg Yield Loss (no control) 20–40% loss 20–40% loss
Cost per acre ₹300–₹800 ₹1,000–₹2,000
Recovery time Gradual but lasting Immediate but risky
Soil Impact Soil-friendly May harm soil microbes
❓ FAQs
Q1. Are crickets harmful to all plants?
Yes, especially tender plants, vegetables, and flowers.
Q2. Can I remove crickets without chemicals?
Yes. Use neem, garlic, banana peel traps, and barriers.
Q3. Why do I hear crickets but not see them?
They hide under soil, rocks, mulch, or plant base during the day.
Q4. Do crickets bite humans?
No. Crickets don’t harm humans directly but damage plants.
✅ Summary Checklist
✅ Check for nibbled leaves, cut stems
✅ Apply neem or garlic spray
✅ Install sticky and light traps
✅ Use molasses or banana peel traps at night
✅ Avoid waterlogging and remove mulch buildup
✅ Follow IPM for long-term safety
📢 Conclusion
Though often ignored, crickets (Jhingur) can severely affect vegetables, seedlings, and gardens. But with the right organic sprays, natural traps, and biological tools, you can manage them effectively — without harming the soil or beneficial insects.
Whether you’re a home gardener or a serious farmer, control these hidden pests before they dig deep into your crops.
✍️ Real Neel
Founder – farming Writers
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