Now that colder weather is moving in, so are the crickets. I nabbed one in the kitchen sink this morning, a day after scooping one out of the tub. As the days get colder, experience tells me we will be finding them all around the house, especially in the basement.

They're probably "camel crickets," named for their humped backs. They are amazing leapers and hard to catch if they're strong and alert. They're looking for warmer places to spend the winter, and a dark basement is perfect for these bugs, also known as cave crickets.

University of Maryland entomologist Mike Raupp wrote about them recently in his regular "Bug of the Week" column. Have a look.  I may have to spend some time this weekend caulking up some gaps where the heat-pump hoses pass through the brick wall. I suspect that's where they're getting in. I know I'll score points with my wife. These bugs really creep her out.