Mole crickets are destructive lawn pests that cause damage through both feeding and tunneling. These burrowing insects spend most of their lives underground, creating a network of tunnels beneath the soil surface. This activity cuts grass roots, leading to desiccation and turf die-off. The resulting lawn damage often requires targeted intervention. This article provides steps for confirming an infestation and implementing effective control strategies.
Identifying the Pest and Optimal Treatment Timing
Confirming a mole cricket problem starts with recognizing signs of their subterranean activity. Look for irregular, raised soil lines and patches of turf that feel spongy or loose underfoot because the roots have been severed. As the damage progresses, irregular brown patches form, especially in late summer or fall when the insects are larger and more active. Secondary damage, such as holes dug by birds or armadillos foraging for the crickets, is another indicator.
You can verify the infestation with a simple soap flush test, which irritates the crickets and forces them to the surface. Mix two tablespoons of liquid dish soap into two gallons of water and drench a four-square-foot area. If two to four mole crickets emerge within a few minutes, treatment is warranted. Understanding the mole cricket life cycle is important, as the young nymphs are the most vulnerable stage. Targeting these newly hatched nymphs in late spring or early summer provides the highest success rate for any control method.
Fast-Acting Chemical Control Methods
Homeowners often turn to chemical insecticides, which come in two main forms: liquid sprays/drenches and granular baits. Liquid concentrates and ready-to-spray products, often containing active ingredients like bifenthrin or lambda-cyhalothrin, provide contact control. These products require about a half-inch of water immediately after application to wash the chemical down into the mole crickets’ tunnels. Application should occur late in the day, as mole crickets are nocturnal and more likely to contact the insecticide as they become active.
Granular insecticides and baits offer another form of chemical control. Non-bait granular products, which may contain ingredients like imidacloprid, must be watered in to release the chemical into the soil profile. Granular baits, such as those containing indoxacarb, work by being ingested by the pest. The lawn should be watered the day before applying baits to encourage crickets to move closer to the surface. However, the area must not be watered for several days after application, as watering will dissolve the product and render it ineffective.
Biological and Non-Chemical Alternatives
Biological and non-chemical methods offer effective alternatives. The most specialized biological agent is the beneficial nematode, Steinernema scapterisci, a microscopic roundworm that specifically targets mole crickets. This species infects and reproduces within the adult and large nymph stages, releasing a bacterium that kills the host within seven to ten days.
Nematodes require specific environmental conditions to be effective. They must be applied to moist soil and protected from intense sunlight, meaning treatment should be done at dawn or dusk. Once the infected mole cricket dies, new nematodes emerge into the soil, allowing for long-term control as they seek new hosts. Simple non-chemical tactics can also provide temporary relief. The soap flush solution used for identification can be used as a localized control method, forcing crickets to the surface where they can be collected and removed. Trapping methods, such as burying a jar with a sweet bait like honey flush with the soil surface, can also capture active crickets.
Cultural Practices for Long-Term Prevention
Modifying the lawn environment is necessary for sustained control. Mole crickets are attracted to moist soil, so adjusting irrigation practices makes the lawn less appealing. Reducing watering frequency and ensuring proper drainage creates drier conditions, encouraging crickets to move elsewhere.
Maintaining a healthy, dense turf helps the lawn withstand and recover from minor tunneling damage. Proper mowing heights and regular fertilization support grass vigor, making it more resistant to pest damage. Reducing thatch buildup is also important, as thick thatch provides food and cover for mole crickets. Finally, aerating compacted soil improves drainage and disrupts the soil structure, which can deter female mole crickets from laying egg clutches.