How to Get Rid of Mole Crickets (4 Easy Steps)

• The mole cricket is an invasive pest that attacks turf grass and other plants. This unique insect gets its name from its huge forelegs, which it uses to tunnel through the dirt like a mole. It damages golf courses and lawns by eating plant roots and disturbing the soil’s surface. • These nocturnal insects mostly live underground and communicate by producing vibrations or Chirping sounds. These habits mirror the behavior of underground mammals like golden moles and mole rats. • The mole cricket is a large, brown insect that typically ranges from 1 to 1¾ inches long. The mole cricket is an omnivore that feeds above and below the surface. These insects eat foliage, grasses, plant stem tissue, roots, and tubers. They also feed on fruit and vegetables like beets, carrots, eggplants, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and turnips. Tawny mole crickets eat grass roots and shoots. This species can cause extensive damage to fields and lawns as it feeds on and tunnels beneath the grass. Mole crickets typically mate in April and May. Males in most species attract mates by producing courtship songs that sound like loud, continuous trills. The female mole cricket builds a small chamber under the soil surface and deposits a clutch of 25 to 60 eggs inside. The eggs grow larger as they absorb water and hatch after 10 to 40 days. If you have mole crickets, you’ll likely notice damaged areas in your lawn or turf. Common signs of these pests include: • Dead or dying grass • Mounds of loose soil from mole cricket tunnels • Predators like birds and raccoons ripping up the ground to eat mole crickets You can also detect mole crickets by driving them to the surface. Mix a gallon of water with 1 to 2 fluid ounces of dish soap and pour this solution over areas where you suspect you have an infestation. The mole crickets will emerge from their tunnels, confirming their presence. Mole crickets prefer to live in areas where they can dig easily. They’re attracted to cultivated dirt, sandy soil, and mud. These nocturnal pests will also fly toward bright fluorescent and ultraviolet lights. Shutting off lights at night may help you avoid them. While mole crickets can destroy plants, they pose little risk to humans and pets. Most experts believe mole crickets don’t bite, but some sources state that this pest may bite humans if you handle it. Avoid touching these insects to be safe Mole crickets can be a nuisance, but you can eliminate these pests with patience and appropriate management techniques. You can purchase mole cricket baits to help control them. Adult mole crickets feed on the baits during the late spring and early summer and die. Some lawn insecticides also kill mole crickets. Always follow instructions carefully when applying pesticides to avoid harming humans, pets, and the environment. Today I’m using a granular pesticide control these mole crickets. Make sure that you are wearing the proper PPE Personal protective equipment before applying any pesticides; which is rubber boots and gloves, long sleeve shirt and pants, eye protection and a respirator. Once the granular pesticide has been applied the active ingredient must be watered into the soil. It is good to apply this granular product right before rain is expected or you will need to water in the product. After applying the granules make sure to clean off the side walk and driveway with a blower to prevent product waste and environmental hazards.