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Mole crickets: tunnels, soft spots and the June window

Mole crickets tunnel just under the lawn, loosening the soil and feeding on grass roots. Clemson notes they are mainly a problem in sandy soils, which are most common on the coast. The damage you notice in late summer is best prevented in June and July.

What are the signs of mole crickets?

Look for raised ridges and small mounds of soil where they tunnel just beneath the surface. The tawny mole cricket is tan and 1.5 to 2 inches long, with front legs built for digging. The southern mole cricket is darker and a little smaller. Clemson notes the tawny species feeds almost entirely on turf roots and shoots, while the southern one mostly eats small organisms in the soil.

How can I check for mole crickets?

Use Clemson's soap flush: mix 1 to 2 ounces of liquid dish soap in a gallon of water and pour it over about 2 square feet of the suspect area. If mole crickets are there, they come to the surface quickly.

When should mole crickets be treated?

Clemson says the best time is June and July, while the nymphs are small and have done little damage. They overwinter underground, adults fly and mate in spring, and the young do most of their visible damage from late August through October. By the time the lawn looks torn up, the crickets are bigger and harder to control, and Clemson recommends targeting the small nymphs even before damage appears.

How does Spring Green treat mole crickets?

Mole crickets are one of the insects our Total Lawn Insect service targets. It runs three rounds a year, in spring, summer and fall, alongside the lawn visits.

Last updated 2026-09-25. Spring Green is owned by Stockton Wells.