Well, seeing one of these bugs on your lawn is always a shock. The Tampa mole cricket is a short, squat little creature straight out of a B movie. But what are they? Are they pests? Do they cause damage to your lawn? Today, we’ll discuss these and whether or not you need to contact a pest control specialist.
Tampa Mole Crickets: What Are they?
There are native and invasive species all throughout the U.S., and they look like a cross between crickets and lobsters. Mole crickets vary in size and how they look but most are pretty large for an insect. These bugs are typically around an inch long and cylindrical in shape. They have two thin antennae and a pair of beady eyes. Mole crickets also have two pairs of wings folded flat over their abdomen, but not all species of them can fly. They have flat forelegs for digging, but the hind legs of a true cricket. Despite that, these bugs aren’t good at leaping. Mole crickets start life as eggs, pass through several immature, nymph stages, and then become adults. Understanding this process helps give you the upper hand. One generation generally occurs per year, but lawns in the Deep South can see two.
Tampa Mole Cricket: Are They Pests?
Preventing Tampa mole cricket damage requires hitting the highly destructive nymphs before the prime time for treatment has passed – and before damage can be seen. This is actually easier than it may seem. Areas with adult activity in spring are excellent indicators of where eggs were laid – and where turf should be treated when nymphs hatch. Treating adults during their spring rituals can reduce tunneling and egg laying, but follow-up nymph treatments are essential to successful control. If you see these crickets and have noticeable lawn damage, consider contacting a natural pest control specialist.
