If you’ve ever been kept awake by a persistent chirping noise coming from outside, you’re not alone. This mysterious sound can be frustrating when you’re trying to sleep. But what causes this noise and where does it come from?
Crickets
One of the most common sources of nighttime chirping is crickets. Crickets are known for their signature chirping sound, which comes from the males rubbing their wings together to attract females. The chirping acts as a mating call. During the summer months when crickets are most active, this chirping can become especially loud and noisy at night.
Crickets tend to live in fields, tall grass, bushes, and other vegetation. If you live near an area like this, you’re more likely to hear crickets at night. Their sounds may be loudest on warm, humid evenings when crickets are most active. The chirping may begin as early as late afternoon and continue well into the night.
Cicadas
Cicadas can also produce loud chirping or buzzing noises at night during summer and early fall. There are around 3,000 cicada species worldwide, and many of them have distinct calling songs. The sounds are produced by the males vibrating their abdomens rapidly to attract females.
Unlike crickets that chirp continually, cicadas often alternate between loud, intense chirping and quieter, intermittent sounds. So you may hear bursts of loud chirping noises from cicadas outside that rise and fall. During mating season when cicada numbers increase, these noises can be extremely loud and intrusive at night.
Katydids
Katydids produce sounds that are similar to crickets, including persistent chirping, buzzing, and clicking noises. Their scientific name is Tettigoniidae. Katydids make their chirping sounds by rubbing their forewings together, mainly to attract mates. Males produce the loud sounds while females are silent.
Katydids live on trees, bushes, and tall grasses. At night during mating season, the repetitive chirping of male katydids can be loud enough to hear even inside your home. The peak times when these nighttime noises occur are mid to late summer.
Tree Crickets
Tree crickets are another type of cricket that can produce loud chirping noises at night. Unlike field crickets, tree crickets live primarily in trees and bushes. They make long trills or repetitive chirping noises by rubbing their wings together.
The species Oecanthus niveus is most known for its loud calling song. The chirping of tree crickets comes in bursts followed by periods of silence before starting up again. These nighttime chirping sounds can be heard from mid-summer through early fall when tree cricket mating activity peaks.
Grasshoppers
While less common, some grasshoppers can also make chirping noises similar to crickets and cicadas. Grasshoppers rub their hind legs against their wings or abdomen to create sounds. This is thought to help male grasshoppers attract females.
Grasshoppers are most active in the warmer months and live in fields, meadows, and anywhere with tall grass and vegetation. If you have grasshoppers near your home, you may hear occasional chirping or crackling sounds coming from them at night.
Frogs
Certain frog species can produce surprisingly loud chirping noises at night. Spring peepers are tiny tree frogs that make high-pitched peeping sounds during mating season. Similarly, chorus frogs make a repetitive chirping or ribbiting sound when they are breeding.
Leopard frogs also make a chuckling or chirping sound. And green frogs are known for their distinctive banjo-like chirp they use to call for mates. If you live near a wetland, pond, or marsh, frog noises may be responsible for nighttime chirping sounds.
Birds
While less likely, some nocturnal bird species can make sounds at night that resemble insect chirping. Nighthawks, for example, make a continuous peenting call as they hunt for food. The call is a nasal buzzing or chirping sound.
Another night bird, the common poorwill, makes a loud repeating chirp for hours during breeding season. And sparrows, owls, nightjars, and many other birds can also be active at night producing chirping, buzzing, clicking or repetitive whistling noises.
Insects Inside Your Home
Sometimes the source of nighttime chirping noises may not be from outdoors, but from insects that have made their way inside your home. Crickets, cockroaches, ladybugs, and other bugs can find their way indoors and make chirping or squeaking noises.
Insects may be drawn inside by light or food scraps. You may hear them in attics, basements, behind walls or furniture, or around windows and doors. If the chirping persists indoors after eliminating outside noise sources, this may indicate an insect problem inside.
Identifying the Source
Determining the exact source of nighttime chirping can be tricky, but here are some tips:
- Pay attention to the time of year – Late summer is peak mating season for many chirping insects.
- Note timing – Crickets and katydids chirp persistently at night but cicadas sound may rise and fall.
- Consider your location – Noises likely come from fields or trees if you live near them.
- Listen for direction – Open windows to determine where the sound is loudest.
- Inspect your home – Check for insects getting in around windows, vents, or gaps.
Dealing with Nighttime Chirping
The constant chirping of insects and other animals at night can make it frustrating to fall asleep. Here are some tips for reducing bothersome nighttime chirping noises:
Locate the Source
First try to confirm where the noise is coming from as precisely as possible. This will allow you to target your solution effectively.
Seal Any Home Entry Points
If you determine indoor insects are making the noises, thoroughly seal any cracks, crevices, or gaps where bugs could enter.
Use White Noise
Consider running a fan, using a white noise machine, or playing soft music to help mask outdoor chirping sounds and make it easier to sleep.
Use Earplugs
Wearing earplugs is an easy solution that can muffle high-pitched insect noises.
Remove Vegetation
Pruning trees or bushes near your home and clearing tall grass or debris can eliminate common chirping insect habitats.
Use Lighting
Installing yellow bug lights around your home can help reduce insect activity. Turning off outdoor lights also makes your home less attractive to some night bugs.
Apply Pesticides
Using EPA-approved insecticide sprays around your property can kill crickets, katydids, cicadas and other noisy insects. Always follow label directions carefully.
Try Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic pest repellers claim to emit high-frequency sounds that deter insects. Some people find they reduce nighttime chirping, but effectiveness is mixed.
When to Call a Professional
If chirping noises persist despite your best efforts, or you believe the source is a large insect infestation, contact a pest control professional. Companies can assess your property, identify sources, and take targeted steps to eliminate them.
They have commercial-grade pesticides, fumigation options, and methods to permanently seal entry points that regular consumers can’t easily access. A treatment plan can rid your home of invasive insects so you can sleep peacefully again.
Conclusion
Mysterious nighttime chirping can have many sources, from crickets and cicadas outdoors to critters inside your own home. Identifying the exact culprit is the first step toward reducing this nuisance. With some diligent troubleshooting and pest control methods, you can stop annoying chirping and keep it from disrupting your sleep.