Spring is on it’s way in South Florida and as a homeowner, you’re probably concerned about the damaging effects mole crickets can have on your lawn. As the mole cricket burrows and feeds on the roots of your lawn, you will notice your grass becoming patchy, brown and eventually dying. At East Coast Sprayers, we have some helpful tips on identifying the mole cricket and ways to protect your turf from this sub-surface pest.

 

Identifying Mole Crickets

 

A mole cricket is one of the strangest insects you’ll ever uncover. This burrowing bug looks exactly like it’s name; a cross between a cricket body and a mole with its clawed front legs designed for tunneling. They can grow to 1-2 inches long as a full sized adult. Nymph mole crickets are smaller and can vary in size depending upon their life stage. They are gray-brown and will only have wings once their reach adulthood.

 

You may have a mole cricket infestation if your lawn has the following:

 

  1. small mounds of soil
  2. patches of brown or dead turf

If you want to check for mole crickets in your lawn, the best time is at night since they are nocturnal pests. Fill a bucket with soapy water and pour over 2 square feet where you suspect the mole cricket infestation lives. If you have 2-4 crickets pop up from the soil within a few minutes, it’s time get insect control help.

 

Mole Cricket Treatment

 

Powerful control of a mole cricket infestation is all about timing; specifically on the current season and life stage of the pest. Getting professional help for treatment is key.

 

East Coast Sprayers knows the ins and outs of a mole cricket infestation in Palm Beach County. We can inspect, identify, and tailor a treatment plan specifically to your turf’s needs. If you want to get rid of those pesky mole crickets FAST, contact East Coast Sprayers today!

As a Palm Beach County resident, your lawn is a vital part of your home’s curb appeal. Lush, green grass is every homeowner’s dream, but without professional insect control and lawn fertilization, this could be destroyed by a tiny little pest called a tropical sod webworm. East Coast Sprayers can help you identify this pest and control the infestation in your lawn.

 

What Are Tropical Sod Webworms?

 

Tropical sod webworms are found in Palm Beach year round and are most active from spring to fall. The tropical sod webworm is actually a larvae which uses your grass as a nest and feeding ground. While they prefer the delight of St. Augustine grass, the larvae have also been found to eat other grasses such as bermuda grass and zoysia grass. Tropical sod webworms are light green to gray-green, have dark spots on their body and can be up to 1 inch long.

 

How Do You Know You Have Tropical Sod Webworms?

 

If you notice damage to your lawn and want to determine if you have a tropical sod webworm infestation, here are a few tell-tale signs:

  1. Ragged areas of grass and brown patches with heavy chewing damage
  2. Silky web trail left throughout your grass which is highly visible with the morning dew
  3. Tropical sod webworm moths fluttering above the grass

 

Treatment for Tropical Sod Webworms

 

If you think your lawn is suffering from the damaging effects of tropical sod webworms, East Coast Sprayers is here to help! We will thoroughly inspect your lawn and customize a treatment plan. Treatment can include regular pest control, lawn fertilization, and overall maintenance plans to correct and prevent future damage from tropical sod webworms destroying your Palm Beach lawn. Contact us today to receive your free quote and customized treatment plan!