Mole cricket (Scapteriscus vicinis and S. borellii)

What do they look like?

Hands down, this is the most destructive lawn pest in the Southeastern United States. The reason is that these critters burrow beneath the ground because they'd rather eat your lawn's roots. There are several species of mole crickets, but the two most damaging are Tawny (S. vicinus) and Southern (S. borellii). Mature mole crickets are about 1-1.25 inches long, with a dark color range.

How do we know we've got them?

That spongy softness your lawn has might feel neat under your feet, but it might also tell you that the mole crickets are working overtime. The damage from mole crickets usually shows up in spring and late August through October, and you can often see them out and about, particularly at night.

How do they damage our lawns?

These insect miners make long, disruptive tunnels to get at the lawn's roots. As a result, the grasses are uprooted, and quickly die. Bermuda grass, Bahia grass, and St. Augustine grass are the most susceptible.

How do we get rid of them?

When you have them, get ready to do some digging in yourself. Eliminating mole crickets is almost impossible, so fighting them takes a real extended strategy. Try to map their infestations so you can properly time when to apply insecticides for maximum effectiveness. Spring is a good time to map because adults are active and will show where they lay eggs, but it is a poor time to use chemical control, as adults are not really bothered by insecticides. The best bet is to take out the young nymphs, so spot treat mapped areas in June and July. To get the best results, get some help from above by waiting for a good rain to help apply your treatment.