House cricket vs Wood cricket
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a house cricket from a wood cricket, and whether either one bites or stings.
House cricket
Acheta domesticus
Wood cricket
Nemobius sylvestris
≠The key differences
Pale straw-brown, larger (about 16-21 mm) with full-length wings, and associated with buildings and heated places rather than woodland leaf litter.
⚖︎Side by side
| House cricket | Wood cricket | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Size | 16-21 mm body length | 6-10 mm body length (typical adult) |
| Colours | Tan, Light brown, Dark brown | Pale brown, Medium brown, Dark brown markings |
| Family | Gryllidae | Gryllidae |
| Habitat | Warm, sheltered places in and around buildings, basements, garages, compost heaps, greenhouses and garden debris. | Deciduous woodland, hedgerows, shaded scrub, leaf litter, under loose bark and fallen timber |
| Range | Originally Eurasian; now cosmopolitan where humans provide warm refuges — widespread in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and other regions. | Western and central Europe, including British Isles and parts of the Mediterranean region (local and patchy) |
| Active | Mostly active at night; peak activity in warm months and in heated buildings year-round in temperate zones. | Adults mainly June to November; males sing by day and night in warm weather |
| Pest? | Yes | No |
🔍How to spot a house cricket
- Length about 16-21 mm, pale tan to brown body with long filamentous antennae.
- Males produce a steady chirping song by rubbing forewings together; listen for this at night.
- Females have a visible straight ovipositor extending from the rear; males lack an ovipositor.
- Wings usually overlap the abdomen; hind legs are large for jumping.
🔍How to spot a wood cricket
- Small body length around 6-10 mm, noticeably smaller than common field crickets.
- Dark brown with paler mottling, blending with leaf litter.
- Short wings (males) or almost wingless appearance (females); long thread-like antennae.
- Found at ground level in leaf litter, under bark and fallen timber rather than on plants.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a house cricket and a wood cricket?
Pale straw-brown, larger (about 16-21 mm) with full-length wings, and associated with buildings and heated places rather than woodland leaf litter.
Is a house cricket or a wood cricket more dangerous?
House cricket: Non-toxic. Wood cricket: Non-toxic. House crickets do not have venom and rarely bite; a bite would be minor and uncommon. Wood crickets are harmless to people.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.