Can Camel Crickets Bite?

Camel crickets — also known as cave crickets or spider crickets — cannot bite people. They don’t have the mouthparts needed to pierce or chew through human skin. Unlike many other insects, camel crickets lack strong mandibles or fangs. Instead, their mouthparts are designed for chewing organic material like fungi, plant matter, and decaying debris, not flesh.

That said, camel crickets can still startle people because of their large size, long legs, and powerful jumping ability. When they feel threatened, they often leap toward the source of movement, which can look like an attack — but it’s purely defensive and harmless.

While camel crickets won’t bite, they can still become a nuisance in basements, crawl spaces, and other damp areas. They may chew on fabrics, paper, or cardboard when food is scarce, leading to minor household damage.

Do Camel Crickets Bite?

Camel crickets are not known to bite people in any situation — even when handled, cornered, or frightened. They lack the anatomy necessary to bite through human skin. Their mouthparts are adapted for chewing decaying plant material, fungi, and other organic matter, not for defense or predation. That said, there are a few situations where people might think a camel cricket has bitten them:

Startle reactions – When threatened, camel crickets can suddenly jump toward people, sometimes landing on skin or clothing. The quick contact can feel like a nip or pinch, but it’s just the sensation of their spiny legs.
Accidental skin contact – If a camel cricket crawls on someone, its long legs and rough texture can cause a mild scratching or tickling sensation that might be mistaken for a bite.
Environmental irritation – People working in damp basements, crawl spaces, or sheds (where camel crickets thrive) might experience itchiness or irritation from dust, mold, or other allergens and assume the crickets are biting — but they aren’t.

Camel crickets don’t bite under any circumstances. Their jumpy, unpredictable movements often cause alarm, but they are completely harmless to people and pets.

Camel Cricket Bites

Camel crickets (also known as cave crickets or spider crickets) are not known to bite humans or pets. They lack the mouthparts necessary to pierce skin, so any concern about “camel cricket bites” is generally a misunderstanding. However, while they don’t pose a direct biting risk, they can still cause a few indirect problems that are worth noting.

Psychological discomfort and nuisance: Camel crickets have a large, spider-like appearance and tend to jump suddenly when startled, which can alarm homeowners. In large numbers—especially in basements, crawl spaces, and garages—they can cause significant distress and discomfort.
Property damage: Although they don’t feed on people, camel crickets are omnivorous scavengers. Indoors, they may chew on fabrics, clothing, paper, cardboard, or even furniture upholstery if other food sources are scarce. Over time, this can lead to minor property damage.
Contamination concerns: In damp, dark areas where camel crickets thrive, their droppings can accumulate, contributing to unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions. While they aren’t known disease carriers, their presence can attract predators such as spiders or rodents, which do pose health risks.
Potential for bites from mistaken identity: In rare cases, people may attribute minor skin irritations or scratches to camel crickets, but these are almost always caused by other pests (like fleas, mosquitoes, or spiders) or by contact with rough surfaces. Camel crickets themselves cannot break human skin.

Camel crickets don’t bite or spread disease, but they can become a nuisance if they infest a home in large numbers. Controlling moisture, sealing entry points, and using our professional pest control services can effectively prevent or eliminate infestations.

What Do Camel Cricket Bites Look Like?

So-called camel cricket “bites” don’t actually exist — because camel crickets cannot bite or pierce human skin. However, people sometimes report marks or irritation after encountering these insects, usually mistaking other causes for a “bite.” Here’s what’s really happening and what such marks might look like:

No true bite marks – Camel crickets have no fangs or piercing mouthparts. If you see puncture marks, welts, or redness, something else is responsible — such as mosquitoes, spiders, fleas, or an allergic skin reaction.
Possible skin irritation – If a camel cricket jumps onto your skin or you brush against one, their spiny legs may cause a mild scratch, scrape, or red spot. This irritation is mechanical, not venomous or infectious.
Secondary irritation – In damp environments where camel crickets live, mold, dust, or other insects can cause itchy or inflamed spots, which people might incorrectly attribute to a bite.
Psychological misinterpretation – Because camel crickets can suddenly jump toward you, the shock often makes people think they were bitten. In reality, it’s just a reflexive reaction to the unexpected contact.

If you notice persistent red bumps, swelling, or itching, it’s worth considering other insect culprits (like mosquitoes, spiders, or bed bugs) or even environmental allergies rather than camel crickets.

What To Do About Camel Cricket Bites

If you believe you’ve been bitten by a camel cricket, it’s important to know that true bites from these insects are virtually impossible—they do not have mouthparts capable of piercing human skin. However, if you notice a red mark, bump, or irritation that you suspect came from a camel cricket, you should still take some basic precautions since it could have been caused by another insect or an unrelated skin reaction.

Here’s what to do:

Clean the area thoroughly: Wash the affected skin with warm water and mild soap to remove any dirt or bacteria. This helps prevent infection in case the irritation came from another source.
Apply a cold compress: Use a clean, cool cloth or an ice pack (wrapped in a towel) to reduce swelling or itching. Apply for 10–15 minutes at a time.
Use an over-the-counter treatment if needed: If there’s itching, redness, or mild swelling, apply an anti-itch cream, hydrocortisone cream, or a topical antihistamine.
Monitor for signs of infection or allergic reaction: If the area becomes increasingly red, swollen, warm, or painful—or if you notice pus, a spreading rash, fever, or other systemic symptoms—seek medical attention. These symptoms indicate that the irritation likely wasn’t caused by a camel cricket but possibly another biting insect or secondary infection.
Inspect your surroundings: Check dark, damp areas (like basements, crawl spaces, and laundry rooms) where camel crickets commonly hide. If you find multiple insects, consider calling a pest control professional to assess and treat the infestation.

A “camel cricket bite” is almost always a misattribution, but treating any unknown skin irritation as a potential insect bite ensures your safety. The key step afterward is identifying and controlling the actual pest responsible, if any.