European mole cricket

Symptoms

Spongy, raised tunnels just under the surface that make the lawn feel soft and uneven underfoot, very like a mole but smaller and shallower. Grass over the tunnels yellows and dies because the roots are severed; small mounds of loose soil appear, especially after warm rain. At night you may hear a low churring song from the burrows. Damage is worst in light, sandy, moist Mediterranean soils.

Plants affected

• Bermuda grass
• St. Augustine grass
• seashore paspalum

Common questions

How do I recognise European mole cricket on Bermuda grass?

Spongy, raised tunnels just under the surface that make the lawn feel soft and uneven underfoot, very like a mole but smaller and shallower. Grass over the tunnels yellows and dies because the roots are severed; small mounds of loose soil appear, especially after warm rain.

Do I have to report European mole cricket?

No. European mole cricket is not a notifiable organism, so there is nothing to report to an authority. Treat it as a normal garden problem.

How is European mole cricket treated?

Mainly with biological and cultural measures — removing affected material, changing the conditions that favour it, and treating with agents approved in your country. The exact steps and their timing depend on the plant, the season and where you live: Dr. Phyto works them out in a free diagnosis.