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Cricket anyone?

By
Home Inspector with Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants
Have you ever looked at something and before you could stop yourself, shouted out "Oh smailto:s#@*!"

I just left a crawlspace where I encountered this:


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Each picture is of a different joist. Each and every joist was covered with these guys. I was afraid to pull down any insulation, I thought they would eat me! I would have taken more pictures, but my digital camera was almost out of film.

Came across some of this too:



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Even found a few of these:


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But this was the scariest!!!!



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Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro
Steven, all I can say I YUCK!!  The last one is pretty cute though.  Somehow my daughter got a bug in the time display on her computer, (it was alive crawling around) she told me it was a New York experience; we also have plenty of bugs in Texas though. 
Jan 30, 2008 09:17 AM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy Steven

It's good to see you, and to see a new post written by you.

That sure is alot of Cricket's you came along in there for sure. I hope the folks can sleep. lol

They say a Cricket on the fireolace mantel gives you good luck.

Have a good one

Dale

Jan 30, 2008 09:48 AM
Carl Winters
Canyon Lake, TX

Hey Steven - we need to get Jimmy B. to stop by; I bet he has a great recipe for (fried cricket, or knowing him he will boil or Bar-B-Q them and say they are d e l i c i o u s.

We have lots of crickets over here in Texas, but don't see many in the crawlspace. Some years they are worse then others. I'm sure you didn't spend anymore time in the crawlspace then necessary. If I see Jimmy I'll send him over to check out your "crickets."

Jan 30, 2008 11:28 AM
Steven Turetsky
Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants - Staten Island, NY
Building Moisture Analyst

Let me tell you something, there is not much that bothers me.... although I have a really weak stomach when it comes to foul odors, and I did go into this space. But my friend, it was very creepy, wondering if something was crawling on me. There were just so many of them.

Now, if Jimmy can make something good out of what I found, he's a better man than me. But please, don't expect me to eat any of it.

 

Jan 30, 2008 11:55 AM
Steven Turetsky
Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants - Staten Island, NY
Building Moisture Analyst

Let me tell you something, there is not much that bothers me.... although I have a really weak stomach when it comes to foul odors, and I did go into this space. But my friend, it was very creepy, wondering if something was crawling on me. There were just so many of them.

Now, if Jimmy can make something good out of what I found, he's a better man than me. But please, don't expect me to eat any of it.

 

Jan 30, 2008 11:55 AM
Bob Elliott
Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL
Chicago Property Inspection

I thought Crickets all died in the winter.

Steve was that recent?

I hope that little girl was not living with all that.

Jan 30, 2008 03:57 PM
Steven Turetsky
Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants - Staten Island, NY
Building Moisture Analyst

Picture was taken yesterday. House has been vacant for two years... bank forclosure.

As you can see, the buggers are quite alive.

It was one of the most beautiful pieces of land I've ever seen. Three acres, but the house needed quite a bit of help.

Jan 30, 2008 09:04 PM
Carla Horne
Grand View Home Inspections, LLC. - Meredith, NH
NH licensed Home Inspector

Hi Steve,

great posts!! I also like the shower pan pictures, keep them coming!

Carla

Jan 31, 2008 06:32 AM
Steven Turetsky
Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants - Staten Island, NY
Building Moisture Analyst

Right on Carla. Thank you.

 

-Steve

Jan 31, 2008 09:14 AM
Joseph Lang
Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Home Inspector, Southern California
...and I thought the post was going to be about a European sport.  I don't mind bugs too much, but that would definitely bother me.
Jan 31, 2008 12:20 PM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate
Other then being yukky, do the crickets do any harm to the house.  I thought they liked to come in the house to get away from the cold.
Feb 06, 2008 07:30 AM
Steven Turetsky
Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants - Staten Island, NY
Building Moisture Analyst

Hi Gene,

When you ask about harm to the house, what about the contamination, isn't that damage enough? What about "quality of life?"

Yes, move to the country for "peace and quiet." Didn't Elmer Fudd and Daffy Duck do something like that? 

Without a moments hesitation,  I recommend a qualified exterminator and professional removal of all the the insulation in the house and that includes in the walls, and cleaning up the entire property.

Can you imagine disturbing the nests. Can you imagine the effect it will have on the surrounding ecosystem? Beside the damage they would do, you would be turning loose a lot of food. There would have to be a ripple effect. Hey, maybe we would end up with Godzilla Seagulls!!!!!

First off, 10% of certain species of mice carry Hantvirus. I understand if someone catches the bug, and their immune system is not very strong, they will not survive... quickly! Now, what about the dust from all the feces and dead bugs? I wouldn't want my babies breathing in that crap.

Now that I have said that, if the decision is made to live in the filth, it's ok, because I've done my job.

I challenge any person, regardless of how many letters come after his name to dispute my advice.

The house, is not such a special house, as far as houses go. But the land it is on is magnificent. It is in foreclosure, Whomever buys this house will appreciate knowing exactly what he/she is facing. 

 

Feb 06, 2008 11:04 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate
I understand the contamination part I was just wondering what they eat? 
Feb 07, 2008 11:09 AM
Steven Turetsky
Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants - Staten Island, NY
Building Moisture Analyst
Cricket feed on just about anything organic. Decaying plant material, fungi, seedling plants, etc.
Feb 07, 2008 11:36 AM