Weird News of Week: Icky Crickets Gross Locals Out

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to inspiring tales of community brotherhood. But some stories are just plain weird. Here are some of the stranger headlines from the past seven days.

Jumping, Jiminy Camel Crickets

This week was a quiet one on the weird news front, except for the chirps from locals who were incredibly grossed out over spider-like camel crickets that they're finding in basements this year. Though these humpbacked, striped crickets aren't new to the region, many are seeing them for the first time.

A local exterminator in Smithtown explained how it's best to seal off your house to keep them from getting in, but most people on our Facebook pages were far more interested in how you kill these creepy bugs. So here are a few of their suggestions:

- This fall was the first time I ever saw one in my basement. Found plenty in the basement of the Wyandanch clubhouse when I worked for Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. We used to throw them in the bullfrog display. They are harmless and silent but many people find them unnerving.

- Down here we call them sprickets cause they spring straight up. Easiest way to kill them is to drop a book on them. Beware, they squish when squashed!

- Put a dehumidifier in your basements; they LOVE damp places and STICKY traps help catch them and their off spring .

- I've got them. I use duck tape to catch 'em!

- Stop by Trio Hardware in Plainview. They have awesome traps for these creatures, as well as organic and synthetic sprays

- Shannon, get a frog.

- I have them in PJS. However, a quick shot of Raid right on them kills them within seconds.

- Sticky traps!!

- You can get these sticky trays in Herricks...you hide them behind the washer, and places that no one is gonna go...and its amazing how many you catch!!

- Spider crickets, humpback crickets... they jump fast, high, backwards, sideways, every which way... sticky traps meant for mice work great.

- We've had them every yr for more than 20 yrs. I refuse to use glue traps because I refuse to pick them up. we buy bombs in Home Depot & it takes care of them both in the basement & in the garage

- Borax works really well !! Spread it all around my basement and it wiped these things out

- So does any size shoe:)