Mole Cricket Management for the Home Lawn

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Three species of mole crickets occur in South Carolina. They are the tawny mole cricket (Scapteriscus vicinus), the southern mole cricket (Scapteriscus borelli) and the native northern mole cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla). Their presence in the home lawn is indicated by the raised surface of the soil that forms as they tunnel just below the soil’s surface. Also, the grass will appear wilted, dead or dying.

Of the three species found in South Carolina, the tawny mole cricket is the most serious pest. It damages plants mainly by its feeding on the roots and aboveground portions of plants. To a lesser extent, its tunneling activity disturbs roots and can result in plant death due to drying of the roots. The southern mole cricket and native northern mole cricket cause minor damage in comparison because they do not feed on plants. It is only their tunneling activity that damages plants. In addition, both the tawny mole cricket and the southern mole cricket were imported from South America and do not have natural enemies to help control their population numbers. The native northern mole cricket is rarely a problem in South Carolina because it has many natural enemies that keep its population in check.

Adult mole crickets are light brown to black insects depending on the species and about 1 to 1½ inches in length. Their front legs are short and stout and well adapted for tunneling in the soil. Mole crickets can be identified by the number and spacing of the tibial dactyls (digging claws) on the front legs and by the color and pattern on the pronotum (back area behind the head). The native northern mole cricket has four distinct claws/toes (dactyls) on each front leg. Tawny and southern mole crickets have two distinct claws/toes (dactyls) on each front leg. The tawny mole cricket has a tight "V" spacing between the claws (dactyls) while the southern mole cricket has an open "U" spacing between the claws (dactyls). The southern mole cricket in South Carolina has a pronotal pattern with four distinct white dots against a darker brown background color. The tawny mole cricket has a distinct medium brown pattern against a lighter brown to tan background color.

Successful mole cricket management requires patience and regular monitoring of the situation. It is not a one-time, one-insecticide application. Control is dependent upon an annual, well-timed plan. Timing of controls and cultural practices are as important as the choice of insecticides.

The major control effort should be directed toward young nymphs (immature forms that resemble the adults only smaller and without wings). These treatments should be applied in June, July and early August while the nymphs are most sensitive to treatments.

A good time to map out problem areas in the lawn is in the spring when adult mole crickets are present. These problem areas are where most of the nymphs will be found in late June and July. These areas should be sampled carefully with a detergent flush (see below) beginning in late June. At this time, little damage is evident, but young nymphs will begin to show up following a detergent flush. If young nymphs are present after a detergent flush, they should be treated.

To prepare a detergent flush, mix 2 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing detergent in 1 gallon of water. Pour the mixture over a 1 to 2 square feet area where damage was present in the spring. Any mole crickets present will surface in a few minutes. This should be done early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Prepared by Clyde S. Gorsuch, Extension Entomologist, Clemson University. Revised by Joey Williamson, Horticulture Information Specialist, HGIC, Clemson University.