MOLECRICKETS

Mole crickets are the number one pest of yards and turf areas in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida.  In recent years, because of the warm winters, their range has extended as far north as the coastal areas of North Carolina and New Jersey.  Their damage appears as brown spongy areas within normal green grass.  These spots are very soft to walk on.

Upon inspection you will notice the grass roots have been eaten.  They are especially fond of Bermuda, St. Augustine and Centipede grass.  If left untreated, they can completely destroy a city yard in a matter of weeks. 

Adult mole crickets are plump, winged and 1 to 1.25 inches long.  They are seldom seen, because, like moles, they stay underground most of the time eating the roots of your grass. 

They fly and mate twice a year, spring and fall.  At this time you will find their exit holes about an inch in diameter. These holes are surrounded by small kernels of dirt.  The nymphs are wingless but look like small adults.  The nymphs can become very numerous and cause great damage to your grass during the warm summer months.

Mole Cricket Control

Mole crickets have become resistant to most of the common insecticides.  These include Diazinon, Dursban, Malathion and Sevin.  

Molecrickets are not resistant to Talstar.  Talstar is a liquid concentrated insecticide which is labeled for the control of mole crickets, ants, fire ants, fleas, ticks and many other lawn insects.  The active ingredient is Bifenthrin (a synthetic pyrethroid).  Talstar carries a caution label.

Mole Cricket Control Using TALSTAR.

Talstar is in the synthetic pyrethroid group of insecticides.  It is very safe towards non-target animals such as birds, reptiles and mammals.  Each pint when mixed with water covers 30,000 sq. ft., 2 or 3 applications are needed each year for continuous protection.

Molecricket adults:  Water the yard before applying the Talstar.  This pulls the mole crickets to the surface.  Water again after applying Talstar.  This ensures that the pesticide penetrates the thatch for a good kill.  Two or three applications are needed each year for continuous mole cricket protection.  For mole cricket nymphs the first application of Talstar should be made in the early spring when grass is greening.

Talstar is also an excellent insecticide for controlling ticks, ants, fleas and fire ants outside.

• Fire ant control article
• Tick control article
• Flea control article
• Ant control article

Click here to order Talstar.

It is very unlikely that you will find a product containing Bifenthrin (Talstar) locally.  It is usually sold to pest control companies only.  We ship our orders the same day or the day after they are received, so you can expect your shipment to arrive within 3-5 days.