How to identify and get rid of mole crickets

If you’ve ever done some digging in your yard and come across what looks like the hybrid child of a mole and cricket, then you’ve seen the invasive mole cricket pest!

Mole crickets dig close to the soil’s surface in your lawn, causing damage to turfgrasses and sod. Since they stay underground for most of their lives, the destruction tends to go unnoticed until things get severe.

They prefer more sandy or loamy soils and prefer moist soils too. Young and newly planted lawns are the most susceptible to damage.

Mole crickets are specialized for digging tunnels under the soil. Because of that, they have a cylindrical shape to their body that helps them move through the dirt, and their front legs are modified to act like little shovels, quickly pushing soil away. The eyes of a mole cricket are also very small, as they don’t need to do a lot of seeing underground.

Their wings usually look very leathery and some species have shorter wings than others. The only time they use their wings is when they go on their initial mating flight.

Since they live underground for most of their lives, knowing what the damage in your yard looks like can help you better monitor for a mole cricket infestation.

Signs of a mole cricket infestation may include:

• Small mounds of dirt in the lawn
• Soft or spongy ground
• Dead patches of grass

How big are mole crickets?

Mole crickets are robust insects ranging between 1.3 and 1.4 inches long.

What other pests look like a mole cricket?

Mole crickets have a pretty distinct look all to their own, but crickets and perhaps grasshoppers may be confused with mole crickets. However, those digger arms are hard to miss!

There are many different types of mole crickets found throughout the world, and several invasive species have made their way to the United States and have a become significant problem for yard owners and golf courses.

Getting rid of mole crickets completely is nearly impossible to do, but you can reduce their numbers to avoid damage done to your yard.

First, you want to determine if you have mole crickets in your grass. The best way to check is to pour a gallon of soapy water over a small area of your lawn and wait for any mole crickets to emerge.

If you find mole crickets popping up in your grass, then an insecticide spray is the most effective treatment option. There are both liquid sprays and granular insecticides you can use. For a pro-grade solution without the hassle of a pest control technician, check out Pestie’s DIY option. It’ll set up a barrier around your home, preventing pests from invading your property. You can also use the spray to spot treat problem areas.

Before you apply an insecticide spray, it’s best to water the lawn to bring mole crickets closer to the surface. The drier your lawn, the deeper the mole crickets dig.