Mole crickets are a major pest of lawns and gardens. Here's what to know about the insects digging up your turfgrass, and how to keep them under control.

Adult mole crickets are cylindrical, reaching nearly 1.5 inches long and are golden to dull brown in color. They also have a shield-like segment just behind the head.

Mole crickets cause damage in turfgrass by tunneling through the soil and feeding on the plant roots, stems, and leaves.

With mole crickets, it’s also important to know which variety you have to properly select and time control methods. Sod Webworms Signs and Symptoms Irregular brown patches: Sod webworm larvae feed ...

Plus, expert advice on how to address both issues.Key TakeawaysPests cause visible damage like chewed grass and soil disruption, while diseases show up as discolored or fuzzy patches from ...

Plants that are fed on by mole crickets will appear chlorotic and stunted. Turf will develop dead patches and can be pulled up readily.

Mole crickets are active above ground in April and May during the mating season and potentially again in September and October.

Mole crickets are brown in colour and much stockier than black crickets. They’re easily identifiable by their shovel-like fore legs which have been described as looking like hands.

Depending on the amount of mole crickets in your yard, these are the three critical times to treat for them. Many control products are available to kill mole crickets.

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Speaking of crickets, there is a species of crickets called mole crickets that can sometimes cause gardeners trouble.