How to Get Rid of Mole Crickets in the Lawn

Mole crickets can be a strange looking pest that is often overlooked until it’s too late. Why? They burrow into their mole cricket tunnels. It can cause damage to your lawn so it is important to get treatment at the right time. This article will show you how to identify mole crickets and how to test for them.

Adult Mole crickets measure one to two inches in length. They have claw-like front legs, and an almost black color.

Mole crickets have three life stages: egg, larval/nymph and adult. Adult and Nymph-stage mole crickets overwinter, and emerge when soil temperatures rise again.

Mole crickets begin to mate shortly after their re-emergence. Female mole crickets dig down to the soil about 10 inches deep and then lay between 2 and 40 eggs in an underground tunnel for mole cricket. Female mole crickets can lay as many as 200 eggs per year, while males go to sleep soon after mating.

Three types of mole crickets are found most often in the southeast United States.

• Tawny mole Crickets can be found all over Florida, North Carolina and Louisiana.
• Southern mole Crickets are more common because they can be found from North Carolina to Florida and Arizona.
• The Short-winged Mole Crickets can be found in southern Florida, southern Georgia.

How to Get Rid of Mole Crickets. Synthetic Options

If you are considering mole cricket treatment, it is important to remember that they can be treated as soon as possible .

Please Note:Keep chemicals out reach of children.

Insecticides

Mole cricket control is possible with both liquid and granular insecticides. Because they are still young and very close to the soil surface, Nymph-stage mole Crickets are most susceptible to being affected by insecticides. You will need to water your lawn immediately after applying insecticides. However, it is important to read the instructions carefully before you apply any.

Make sure that the label on insecticides you apply to your yard is marked for mole crickets It is illegal to use any insecticide or other pesticide against a pest that it was not designed for.

Tip:If you are familiar with the product, it is easy to get into a routine of using it again and again. However, mole crickets can become resistant to certain treatments if they are exposed to the same product over and over again. You can prevent this from happening by switching to other classes of insecticides.

Bait

To eliminate mole crickets, you can spread a mixture of toxins and grains around your yard. You should see a reduction in mole crickets within a few days of the bait being applied. You can prevent the bait from washing away by making sure the forecast is clear for at least a few days prior to applying the mole cricket bait.

How to Get Rid Of Mole Crickets (Organic Solutions)

Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes, microscopic worms living in soil, are microscopic worms. They kill harmful pests by invading their soil and releasing bacteria. They are safe to use around pets and people.

Steinernema capocapsae and Steinernema rubiobrave are the best nematode species for mole crickets.

Neem Oil

Neem oil, a natural pesticide, can be applied to your garden, lawn, and flowers. Because of its repellent properties, it not only kills mole-cicadas but also prevents them from returning.

To avoid harming the foraging bumblebees, neem oil should be applied at dawn or dusk. These beneficial insects can be suffocated by neem oil, so avoid peak buzzing hours.

Signs of Mole Crickets

Are you unsure if your lawn is affected by mole crickets? These are signs that indicate mole cricket damage to your lawn.

• The main indicator of mole crickets is disturbed soil. Their spade-like front legs dig into the soil to create tunnels. Mounds might appear from the disturbed soil.
• Mole crickets can also be seen dead grass in the vicinity of disturbed soil. These insects consume the grass roots and destroy the turf.
• It might feel soft while you walk on your turfgrass. Why? Why? Because mole crickets are removing the grass roots from the soil. This gives the ground a loose, spongy feel under your feet.
• chirping isn’t always a sign of mole crickets. However, it is worth paying attention to chirping sounds coming from your lawn. When they are mating, male mole crickets chirp.
• Mole crickets cause destruction at night in late summer. The damage may not be obvious immediately because it’s the peak season for warm-season grasses.

How to test for Mole Crickets

Although they are difficult to find because they live underground, mole crickets can be easily drawn to the soil surface. You only need dish soap, water to see these odd-looking insects.

Mix two tablespoons of dish soap with two gallons of water. Spread the mixture over a 2-foot-square area of your yard. You can count how many mole crickets have appeared in the area within minutes of pouring the mixture. If you do have mole Crickets, they will likely appear immediately. Your lawn might have problems if more than two mole-cricks appear.

After you have washed your lawn with dish soap, wash it off thoroughly.

How to Prevent Mole Cricket Problem

Mole cricket is not something you want to have to battle every year. So, take the time to remove them once they are gone. Here are some ways to prevent future mole cricket problems:

• Neem oil
• Continuous Monitoring: Now that you are aware of the signs, sounds and characteristics of mole crickets, you can now be alert for any mole-cricket activity. You should immediately treat any new activity.
• Reduce thatch: Regular dethatching will get rid of other insects mole crickets love to eat.
• Test soil To test your soil for any deficiencies in vital nutrients Healthy lawns are less likely to be harmed by pests.
• Limit outdoor light usage. Mole Crickets love bright outdoor lighting. You can reduce the chances of them being attracted to your home by reducing or eliminating outdoor lights.

FAQ about Mole Crickets

Do mole crickets harm people?

Although they can pinch you with their front legs and bite, the damage they do to humans is minimal. They are not harmful or venomous, but they can be a nuisance on your lawn.

Are mole crickets able to jump?

No. No. As their mode of transportation, mole crickets burrow underground.

Is soapy water able to get rid of mole Crickets?

Soapy water can only be used to draw mole crickets to your surface to check for mole cricket problems, and not as a treatment.

This post was written by a professional arborist at   www.arborwisetreeservices.com. Robert Miller is the owner of Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care, a locally owned and operated tree service company that offers superb lawn care by the most experienced Arborists. Arborwise Tree Services is a tree removal company that offers stump removal, tree pruning, stump grinding, fertilization, and tree restoration. We have an extraordinary lawn care industry notoriety covering the Pinellas county area.