Ruined lawn? Crickets may be to blame. How to get rid of mole crickets in Oklahoma

Are you frustrated by patches of damaged grass in your lawn that you tend to relentlessly? There may be one large, brownish insect to blame — the mole cricket.

Hence the name, the mole cricket is notorious for burrowing under well-watered lawns, wrecking your hard work.

Here's what to know about the pesky six-legged insect:

Mole crickets in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to two native mole cricket species, the Northern and prairie mole crickets, according to Oklahoma State University .

Mole crickets are covered with short, dense hair and have mole-like front legs used for digging.

The northern mole cricket prefers damp areas like streams and lakes, but they can also damage lawns by dislodging plats or seedlings as they burrow underneath them, according to OSU, making plants become dry.

Prairie mole crickets prefer tall grass prairie and drier areas.

How do I get rid of crickets?

The most effective way to get rid of crickets and prevent future infestations is to reduce areas of moisture in and around your home, reports PestWorld.com . Mow your lawn, weed flower beds and move debris away from your house. Drain standing water and make sure to provide adequate ventilation in crawl spaces or basements.

Also, consider changing outdoor lighting to less-attractive yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lamps.

If mole crickets have already infested your lawn, mole cricket-specific insecticides are available at garden centers, or you may consider calling a pest control professional.

Inside the house, be sure to seal possible points of entry, including window and door frames and holes in masonry. If crickets are already inside, you can vacuum them up to remove them and their eggs.

While some species may present challenges for maintaining turf, understanding their habits and characteristics can lead to effective management strategies. As long as Oklahoma has bugs, mole crickets will undoubtedly remain an ongoing feature of Oklahoma's insect world.

Why do crickets chirp?

Males emit distinct calls for about 50 minutes, starting shortly after sunset, aiding in locating their burrows. It is crucial to refrain from controlling this species or collecting specimens unless a substantial population is observed at a specific site, Oklahoma State University entomologists report.

According to OSU, mole crickets spend the majority of their lives burrowing just below the soil's surface, only emerging during mating and dispersal flights in the spring (April and May in Oklahoma) and to some extent in the fall (September and October). They lay their eggs in burrows in the early summer, and depending on the species, they feed on plant roots, insects or decaying organic matter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ruined lawn? Crickets may be to blame. How to get rid of mole crickets in Oklahoma