In the News - October 2009
Homespun advice from a veteran county agent
Crickets, kids and Uncle Ray
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The first shock was being awakened by noises coming from
the living room at midnight. The second shock was the blurred view of Uncle
Ray's big, skivvy-clad rear sticking up in the air, his head behind the couch
and him whispering, "Now, you boys hold the light and I'll smack him good!"
Living close to noises generated by the regional airport, we seldom have
opportunity to hear and enjoy the sounds of the night. However, the situation
changes with the beginning of fall weather.
The onset of cool night temperatures causes black field crickets to invade
homes in search of a warmer location. To add insult to injury, they even have
the nerve to tell you about it with their loud midnight chirping!
Their chirping isn't the only concern, since crickets will feed on items made
of leather, wool, cotton, paper and various other materials inside the home.
Outdoor lighting, while a nice safety feature, actually serves to attract
crickets to the doorstep where they gather or stage. As doors are opened
throughout the day, crickets sneak inside and quickly find nice hiding places.
The outside "doorstep staging" can be stopped by using an insecticide to
control crickets that may be present, while repelling others that come calling
every few days. A number of safe insecticides provide excellent control and are
readily available at most garden centers.
If crickets happen to escape the perimeter defense, a late-night "cricket
getter" kit, such as Uncle Ray was using, should include a flashlight,
flyswatter, or rolled newspaper. On this occasion Uncle Ray had easily coaxed
two eager great-great-nephews out of bed and the fun began!
Prior to the safari, Uncle Ray advised the boys, "When the midnight chirps
get so loud you can't stand it, we'll keep the lights off and slowly stalk all
the rooms until we locate the little buggers." Approaching the living room he
whispered, "Now boys, you need to know that crickets are ventriloquists! When
you think a chirp is coming from under the TV, it's really coming from behind
the couch!"
Once spotted, the glare of the flashlight will immobilize a cricket, which
provides an opportunity to administer control.
Pleasant occasions are usually short-lived and soon after the first killing
frost, cricket season will be over. We only have a couple of weeks for children
to enjoy an Arkansas midnight cricket hunt and bag a lifetime memory.
If you'd like, I'll check with Uncle Ray to see if he wants to sleep over.
However, let me first check to see what the grandkids are doing this weekend.
‘Til next week!
For more on agriculture in your corner of the state, contact your county
Extension office or visit www.uaex.edu and select
Agriculture.
The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
October 9, 2009
By: Robert Seay
Benton County Extension Agent Staff Chair
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
Related Link
Request an Interview
|
