Get rid of them. Plain and simple.
I just started a few days ago, and I accept that the game is unusually difficult. However, whoever was the <INSERT INSULTING EXPLETIVE> who decided to make 1 out of every ~10 crickets do 8x-10x normal damage? Screw you, whoever had that idea.
Crickets don't need to be doing over 4 points of blood damage. Period.