Mole Crickets
Mole crickets are large ugly bugs – alien-looking – that can fly. Attracted to light, their damage is often observed under streetlights. Mole crickets move around by tunneling just below the surface – probably for protection from predators or the sun. Most of the damage done to lawns is caused by their tunneling, pushing roots, and underground stems above ground. Once above ground, the roots and stems dry out, and the lawn declines.
The tunneling starts in Spring when mole crickets are mating. The adults tunnel, mate, lay eggs, and die. After the spring mating, there will be a quiet period with little or no mole cricket activity.
Then in June the young hatch and start digging tunnels. By September, the mole cricket activity reaches a peak. Then with colder weather they burrow into the soil and wait for the warmer weather of spring to emerge, tunnel, mate, lay eggs, and die.
Not a Problem in St Augustine
St Augustine has above-ground stems called stolons from which leaves grow up to the sun and roots grow down into the soil. Mole cricket tunneling does not disturb the above-ground stems and the roots are adapted to living in the space between soil and stolons. Mole cricket activity rarely damages St Augustine lawns.
If you do see mole cricket tunnels in declining areas of your St Augustine lawn, most likely the mole crickets were not the primary causal agent of the decline. I would look at other possible issues like water stress, traffic, or spills.
Zoysia, Bahia and Bermuda
Zoysia, Bahia, and Bermuda do have below-ground stems. The tunneling of mole crickets can cause severe damage. Mole cricket tunnels coupled with low mowing and water stress can do a lot of damage to a Zoysia, Bahia, or Bermuda lawn.
Not the End of Your Lawn
Mole crickets do not attack the grass directly – like chinch bugs. It is their tunneling that does the most damage. Generous water and keeping the canopy (mowing height) high will reduce the damage.
Mole Crickets will Return
Mole crickets have their favorite spots and will return every year to those spots. And each year the population will expand. If you have a Zoysia, Bahia or Bermuda lawn damaged by mole crickets, you should have it treated for mole crickets. The best treatment is Top Choice, but it is only available to professionals. Baits and other products labeled for mole crickets are available to the homeowner. One treatment will not be enough. You should continue treatments for 3 – 4 years.
The Lawn May Recover
The mole cricket damage is not complete – there will be a remnant of your lawn remaining. With tender loving care, that remnant can restore your lawn to its original beauty. It just takes sunshine, water, a little fertilizer, and patience (time).
