Can Mormon Crickets Bite?
Mormon crickets cannot bite people or pets in a harmful way. Although they look intimidating, these large, shield-backed katydids (they're not actual crickets) lack strong mouthparts capable of piercing human or animal skin. Their mandibles are designed for chewing vegetation and organic debris, not for defense or attack.
Do Mormon Crickets Bite?
Mormon crickets are extremely unlikely to bite, but if they do attempt a pinch, it’s usually under very specific circumstances:
Handling or cornering – If a person or pet tries to pick one up, trap it, or otherwise restrict its movement, the cricket may reflexively snap its mandibles. This is defensive behavior, not predatory.
Accidental contact – A pet that paws at or mouths a Mormon cricket might trigger a defensive pinch. Again, it’s not strong enough to break skin in most cases.
Stress or threat – Loud vibrations, sudden movements, or prolonged exposure to predators (including humans or pets) can make the cricket more likely to attempt a defensive bite.
Even in these situations, any “bite” is more like a mild pinch—it does not inject venom, cause infection, or pose real medical risk. The main issues with Mormon crickets are crop damage and nuisance swarms, not personal injury.
Mormon Cricket Bites
Mormon cricket “bites” carry virtually no medical risk. They do not have venom, their mandibles are not strong enough to puncture human skin under normal circumstances, and they are not known to carry diseases transmissible to humans or pets.
The only possible issues from a defensive pinch or nibble are:
Minor skin irritation – Rarely, a small pinch might leave a faint red mark, similar to a light pinch from a fingernail.
Allergic reaction – Extremely uncommon, but some individuals with sensitive skin could develop mild itching or redness where the pinch occurred.
Secondary infection – Only if the skin were already broken or scratched, which is highly unlikely from a Mormon cricket.
There are no significant health risks from their bites. The real concern with Mormon crickets is property or agricultural damage, not bites to humans or pets.
What Do Mormon Cricket Bites Look Like?
If a Mormon cricket were to “bite,” the mark would be very minor and barely noticeable. Since their mandibles are not strong enough to puncture skin, a bite usually appears as:
A small, superficial red mark or pinch spot.
Occasionally a tiny scratch or indentation if the cricket presses hard.
No swelling, bleeding, or pus—because the skin is not actually broken.
Mild itching or tenderness is possible in sensitive individuals.
In most cases, a “bite” might be so subtle you barely notice it, and it will resolve on its own within a few hours. There is no risk substantial risk of infection, and they don't have venom.
What To Do About Mormon Cricket Bites
If you think a Mormon cricket “bit” you, there’s no cause for alarm, because any pinch is harmless. You can handle it like a minor skin irritation:
Wash the area – Use soap and warm water to clean the spot. This reduces any chance of mild irritation or contamination from dirt.
Apply a soothing agent – If the skin is red or tender, a light application of calamine lotion or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help ease irritation.
Monitor for reactions – Rarely, sensitive individuals may experience mild itching or redness, which usually resolves within a few hours.
Avoid scratching – This prevents any unnecessary skin irritation.
Seek medical attention only if unusual symptoms occur – For example, significant swelling, spreading redness, or signs of infection (extremely rare, given the mild nature of the pinch).
In practice, most people won’t even notice a Mormon cricket pinch, and no treatment is necessary beyond washing.