Camel/Cave cricket

5963   Hi, I’m Mark in Ottawa.  Over the past few days (April 2-3 2017), I’ve found these bugs in my basement at night, near my sump pit. I killed 2 last night, but I found (and killed) 3 tonight (including the one in picture). It unfortunately looks like a type of cockroach, but the color doesn’t match a German one. Please tell me I am wrong. never had these EVER…crossing my fingers!!!  Mark

This is a camel/cave cricket (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae); see http://tinyurl.com/l62qhkjor an example. They often are found in damp, dark environments such as caves, basements, under logs, etc. and basically are nuisance pests that seldom cause any real harm. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.