Mole Crickets: The Burrowing Pest Threatening Your Lawn

Mole crickets do not enter homes and cause damage like termites or cockroaches. They also probably do not cause as many nightmares as snakes and spiders. But these insects should still be something homeowners remove from their yard as soon as possible. Early identification and removal of the pest can help to reduce the problems they cause to lawns and gardens. 

Identify the Pest

Mole crickets can grow up to two inches long and have forelimbs that have a shovel-like appearance. The spatula-shaped limbs allow the pests to dig the tunnels they spend most of their lives in. Burrows in a lawn are a typical sign of the existence of mole crickets. Identification can also come from the loud chirps heard during mating season in spring.

Males make the chirping sound after sunset from inside their burrows. The shape of the tunnels helps to amplify their voices so the sound reaches more potential mates. Female mole crickets become active in the air after sunset as they fly to the burrows to be with the males for mating.

Some females, when ready to lay eggs, will also fly to where they hear many males chirping. The sound of a lot of males can mean the location has good burrowing soil. The females will seek locations like these so they can dig out tunnels to lay their eggs inside.

Know the Damage

Mole crickets do not present any danger to people, pets, or their homes, but the burrowing of the pests can cause damage to the yard. The insects feed off underground roots and on leaves and stems they forage on the surface. The existence of the crickets can cause widespread damage to lawns and gardens if the population does not stay controlled.

An invasive species, mole crickets can become a regional concern if the population becomes too large. Natural predators of the crickets do not exist in the abundance necessary to keep the population in check. The pests can cause widespread crop damage in an area if the number of insects increases beyond controllable measures.  

Practice Control Methods

Mole crickets need moist soil and plenty of food to thrive. The insects seem to prefer over-watered yards and soil with a lot of thatch. Good lawn care practices and proper watering may help to reduce the desire of the pest to make their home in the yard.

Homeowners that find small burrows in their soil can perform a quick test to see if the hole is a mole cricket tunnel. Mix a tablespoon of dish soap in a gallon of water and pour it across the area in question. The mixture will force any crickets in the tunnels to the surface for easy identification.

Removal should take place in the spring before the nymphs develop into adults and begin causing damage to the nearby vegetation. During spring, the insects come up their tunnels and stay closer to the surface to feed. The surfacing habit makes it easier to eradicate during this time of the year.

Mole crickets usually dig deeper into the soil during periods of drought or dry spells and during late summer. The depth can prevent effective eradication because the pesticides used for removal may not reach them.

Florida homeowners need to stay watchful for signs of mole crickets if they want to keep their lush lawns and gardens thriving. Like any pest infestation, it is easier to remove the problem before the population grows.

At Gainesville Pest Control LLC , we offer a preventative service to reduce the risk of mole cricket infestations and can address any existing problem. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an inspection.