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Mole crickets cause more damage to Florida lawns than almost any other pest. Their tunneling severs grass roots and creates raised soil ridges. Here is the treatment protocol.
How to identify mole cricket damage
- Raised soil ridges or tunnels visible on lawn surface.
- Brown patches of dying grass (root damage).
- Small mounds of soil near tunnels.
- Most damage visible in fall (after summer breeding).
Mole cricket species in Florida
- Tawny mole cricket: Most damaging. Brown.
- Southern mole cricket: Less damaging. Gray-brown.
- Short-winged mole cricket: Native, less damage.
Treatment strategy
Step 1: Soap flush test
Mix 2 tablespoons dish soap with 2 gallons water. Pour over 2-square-foot area of suspected damage. Mole crickets surface within 5 minutes if present.
Step 2: Apply bait at correct timing
Apply mole cricket bait (granular bait product) in late afternoon. Crickets emerge at night to feed. Best application timing is June-August when nymphs are small.
Step 3: Spray Bifen IT in evening
Late evening spray to lawn surface kills surfacing adult mole crickets.
Step 4: Repeat 30 days later
Mole crickets continue cycling through summer. Second treatment ensures coverage of next generation.
Lawn health support
- Maintain proper mowing height for grass species.
- Water deeply 1-2 times per week.
- Fertilize spring and fall.
- Healthy turf recovers from cricket damage faster.
Verdict
For Florida lawns with mole cricket damage, time-correct bait application + Bifen IT evening spray + lawn health maintenance is the proven protocol. Best results when treatment starts in June-July when nymphs are small and easier to kill.
Reminder: Always read product labels and follow safety instructions.