Mole crickets are a fossorial insect, meaning they are diggers and burrowers that live primarily underground. They are part of the Gryllotalpidae family in the order Orthoptera, which includes grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets. They can be found all over the world and are considered an agricultural pest in some regions.

Identifying mole crickets

Cricket mole

Mole crickets are recognized by their large, shovel-like front legs that resemble those of moles. They are about 1 ½ inches long and brown, tan, or reddish-brown in color. They have hind legs similar to other crickets, but they are used primarily for pushing soil rather than leaping. They are adapted for life underground and have cylindrical-shaped bodies covered in fine, dense hair and two pairs of wings that fold flat over the abdomen.

Mole crickets are common throughout the eastern United States, but are most prevalent in the Southeast, especially in Florida. Mole crickets are serious pests of lawns, particularly on golf courses.

Types of mole crickets

There are a number of common mole cricket species, including:

  • Northern or common mole cricket (Neocurtilla hecadactyla): Found in the eastern and central states from Nebraska to Texas and as far north as Ontario, Canada, down to Florida. They are native to the U.S. and not considered pests like other types of mole crickets.
  • Southern mole cricket (Scapteriscus vicinus): Slightly smaller at 1 to 1 ½ inches long and present mostly in South America and the southern U.S. They are predators that leave their burrows at night to forage for food, mostly leaves and stems and sometimes other insects. They are considered an invasive species that cause damage to lawns, pastures, and golf courses.
  • Short-winged mole cricket (S. abbreviatus): This flightless species is recognizable for its tan or whitish body and dark spots. It can be found mostly in southern Florida and Georgia, especially coastal areas. They prefer St. Augustine and bermudagrass.
  • Tawny mole cricket (Scapteriscus acletus): Most often found in sandy coastal regions in the Southeast, tawny mole crickets are herbivores that feed on turfgrass, especially Bahia, and bermudagrass. They are considered a pest for golf courses and homeowners with yards.

Signs of a mole cricket infestation

Certain types of mole crickets are considered pests that can cause serious damage to lawns and turf, particularly on golf courses. Their burrowing activities can disrupt new seedlings and prevent grass from growing properly. They also feed on established root systems, destroying turf in the process.

Signs that mole crickets are present can include:

  • Small piles of dirt scattered on the soil surface
  • Spongy feeling lawn caused by the detachment of the turf from the soil
  • Brown and dying grass where mole crickets have tunneled
  • A signature mole cricket chirp that sounds like a brief trill made up of about eight pulses

What attracts mole crickets?

Mole cricket eggs and nymphs require moisture to survive, so they will always be looking for well-hydrated soil. If the soil becomes too dry, the eggs and nymphs will die off. They also prefer soil that they can easily burrow into, like cultivated dirt, sandy soil, and mud. They are attracted to lawns with thatch buildup, which is a spongy, thick mat of decomposed grass clippings and leaves on the soil surface.

Are mole crickets dangerous?

Mole crickets can cause damage to crops with their burrowing activities by disturbing the delicate germination process. They aren’t known to bite or sting, and they aren’t venomous, so mole crickets pose no physical threat to humans or animals. Just to be safe, avoid handling a mole cricket in case it does decide to bite in extreme circumstances.

Mole cricket life cycle

Mole crickets go through an incomplete metamorphosis that involves gradual changes through molting. After mating, a female burrows deep into the soil to lay eggs that will hatch after a few weeks. The nymphs then consume plant material underground as they grow into adults. Mole crickets are active throughout the year but may overwinter in cooler climates and resume activity in the spring.

Managing and preventing mole crickets

Wondering how to get rid of mole crickets? Where mole crickets are found to be infesting lawns, the lawn will need to be treated with a residual pest control product labeled for turfgrasses or with mole cricket bait. For effective mole cricket treatment, it’s best to consult a lawn care company, as the timing of applications is critical to the successful control of this pest.

Where mole crickets are being attracted in large numbers to exterior lights on a home or building, the lights should remain off when not needed, or switch the bulbs to a type less attractive to insects (e.g., yellow bug lights or sodium vapor lamps).

Need help with mole crickets? We can help with cricket control strategies that are tailored to your needs.