How Do I Get Rid of Mole Crickets on the Lawn?

Mole crickets could damage the best lawns.

According to the University of Florida, three mole cricket species create the most damage in North America: tawny mole cricket, southern mole cricket and short-winged mole cricket. Mole crickets damage gardens and lawns by feeding on plants and creating unsightly tunnels in the ground. The pests hide deep underground in winter and become active in warmer months. Mole cricket control involves monitoring the mole cricket population and coordinating treatments to local conditions and the life cycle of the mole crickets.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen or pencil
• 2 tbsp. dishwashing detergent
• Water
• Insecticide

Instructions

1. Draw a map of the lawn and note the areas where there is mole cricket damage. Crickets usually are most active in spring, but treatment at that time often proves to be ineffective. This helps you determine which areas to treat because the best time for mole cricket control is when the pests reduce their activity level.

2. Mix 2 tbsp. of lemon-scented liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 gallon of water. Pour the mixture on 1 square foot of the affected area and observe as the crickets surface. This helps you confirm the presence of mole crickets and monitor their development.

3. Pour water on the soil to prepare for insecticide application to get the mole crickets to move toward the surface and to increase insecticide penetration. Do this in the mid-summer to maximize effectiveness because this is when the mole crickets hatch. The small crickets are vulnerable to insecticides and warm soil temperature allows the insecticide to work effectively. The optimal timing could differ depending on the area. For example, June or July is best in North Carolina and Alabama, while April to June works best in Florida.

4. Apply an insecticide on the affected area. Use an insecticide that contains befenthrin, cyfluthrin, fipronil, imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, steinernema scapterisci or trichlorfon as an active ingredient. Follow the instructions on the product label as each product has its own specific directions.

References

• Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Controlling Mole Crickets on Lawns and Turf
• University of Florida: Pest Mole Cricket Management
• North Carolina State University: Mole Crickets