Are you often lying comfortably in bed, or sitting snug on the couch, before being rudely interrupted by the loud chirping of a cricket?

Around this time of year, you would be right to think that this is unfortunately much more common.

Due to this years dry summer, the numbers of crickets have likely swelled, which may spell bad news for farmers.

Their proper name is the black field cricket, or Teleogryllus commodus, and they are native to the region.

Speaking to The Courier’s nature writer Roger Thomas, he wasn’t exactly sure why they are currently so numerous, however he has a theory.

“Perhaps because of lack of grass cover due to dry conditions, which makes them more obvious and more likely to travel,” Mr Thomas said.

“When they get into houses and shops they can make a serious nuisance of themselves.”  

These sentiments were echoed by Andrew Arnold, an associate, honorary teaching fellow from Federation Uni, who teaches field ecology.

“In drought years, particularly at the end of summer their numbers build up and they can cause damage to pastures.” Mr Anrold said.

These insects do however serve as good food for small hawks, magpies, crows, kookaburras, ibises, snakes, fish, mice, and rats.

Hopefully with some rain scheduled for the near future, the numbers of these pesky insects may die down.  

Locals will be happy to hear that the black field cricket is not the loudest of the species, however, hope that one doesn’t slip into your house, or else you’ll be playing the most annoying game of hide and seek in the middle of the night.