Mole Cricket
Mole crickets are bizarre, alien-like pests that were introduced to us from South America. Since their introduction to the United States, they have become the most destructive lawn pest in the South. They look similar to larger crickets but with huge digging claws similar to a mole. These creatures aren’t just terrifying, they can also cause terrifying damage to your lawn.
They tend to live just below the soil surface feeding on roots, tubers, and other insects they come across. They can cause particular damage to pastures, crops, grass, and gardens. As they hunt for food they tunnel, much like a mole does. This tunneling can cause a great deal of damage to plants, especially Bermudagrass.
They have been found to be more common in lawns with thick layers of thatch that builds up from years of grass clippings and other organic materials. Mole Crickets will overwinter as nymphs in this ideal habitat and then in the spring they will emerge as adults to feed and breed, laying their eggs just below the surface of the soil.
A large number of hungry mole crickets can do noticeable damage to your yard. Sponginess in the grass and thinning turf are signs you have a mole cricket problem.