Mole Crickets

The most common types of mole crickets found in Florida inclue the Southern Mole Cricket and the Tawney Mole Cricket. Mole crickets feed on the roots of turf grasses and create visible tunnels near the soil surface.

The mole cricket is actually native to South America but arrived in the Florida in the early 1900's.

The larval stage of the mole cricket are the most destructive to turf roots.

They lay eggs in march that hatch in the months of May and June. Females can produce 3 to 5 egg chambers each containing 35 eggs per chamber. It takes 20 days for eggs to hatch and up to 12 weeks for maturity. Females will continue to lay eggs year round.

Large animals such as raccoons , skunks, armadillos, and toads will damage turf in search of this food source.

Mole crickets damages lawns in to ways. They tunnel through soil to lay eggs loosening soil which un-roots the grass systems drying out roots and killing the grass. They will also feed on the grass roots.

Try to irrigate less to encourage deeper root development to counter act mole cricket damage.

Treatment for Mole Crickets

Targetting the larval stage of mole crickets is the most effective way to long term management. Talstar granules are an effective way to kill the mole cricket larvae.