Mole Crickets
Active Seasons
Appearance and Size Facts
- Thick-bodied insects with large beady eyes and shovel-like forelimbs
- Highly developed for burrowing and swimming
- Brown, tan, or reddish-brown in color
- Adult Mole cricket may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and is active most of the year
- Size: Approximately 1 to 2 inches in length
Behavior and Habitat of Mole Crickets
Mole crickets are serious pests of lawns, and they are prevalent throughout South Florida. They are recognized by their large, shovel-like front legs that resemble those of moles. Adult Mole crickets can fly and are attracted to exterior lights. Mole crickets are relatively common, but because they are nocturnal and spend nearly all their lives underground in extensive tunnel systems they are rarely seen. They inhabit agricultural fields, rice paddies, lawns, and golf courses. Five out of the seven species present in North America are immigrants from Europe, Asia, and South America, and are commonly considered pests.
Signs of Infestation of Mole Crickets
Mole crickets can damage plants by feeding at night on aboveground foliage or stem tissue and belowground on roots and tubers. Seedlings may be girdled at the stems near the soil surface, though some plants may be completely severed and pulled into a tunnel to be eaten. Mole cricket tunneling near the soil surface dislodges plants or causes them to dry out. Tunneling reduces the aesthetic quality of turfgrass, interferes with the roll of the ball on golf courses, and results in reduced livestock grazing on severely infested pastures.
Tips for Prevention of Mole Crickets
Ensure that irrigation is sufficient to allow for proper turf root zone uptake, but still allowing the soil to dry out completely after watering will help to mitigate Mole cricket activity.
Mole Cricket Gallery
Latest Pest & Termite Control News
Termites 101: A South Florida Homeowners Guide
Jun 07, 2021—Florida Termites
South Florida is an attractive place to call home. It's no wonder termites also love West Palm Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Fort Myers, Fort Pierce and other South Florida neighborhoods. In fact, termites are predicted to damage over 50% of South Florida structures by 2040, according to...
Read More ›
Drywood vs Subterranean Termites
May 03, 2021—Termites, Florida Termites, Identification & Control
Here at Hulett Environmental Services, we receive many questions regarding the different species of termites and questions about the various effective treatment methods for eradicating infestations, including "Do you tent for subterranean termites?", along with "Does tenting kill subterranean...
Read More ›
What to Know about Termite Swarming Season
Apr 27, 2021—Termites, Florida Termites, Termites
As the warmer and rainy months approach, South Floridians must be aware that termite swarming season is also upon us, putting homes and businesses at increased risk of becoming infested. In fact, South Florida is home to many of the cities known for having some of the most termite infestations...
Read More ›
