How to get rid of mole crickets on your property: effective control methods

The mole cricket causes significant damage to garden and horticultural crops.

To combat this pest, a comprehensive approach and the use of various methods are required.

Signs of the appearance of a mole cricket

It is not so easy to detect a mole cricket, as it leads an underground lifestyle. However, by some signs it is possible to determine its presence on the site, says Anastasia Kovrizhnykh .

First of all, pay attention to the condition of the plants: wilting, stunted growth, yellowing of leaves may indicate damage to the root system by the mole cricket.

Also, a characteristic sign is the presence of small mounds and passages on the soil surface, which the insect leaves as it moves.

Agrotechnical methods of control

There are a number of agricultural measures that help reduce the number of mole crickets on the site. Autumn soil digging helps to detect and destroy larvae and adults.

In the spring, before planting crops, it is recommended to water the soil with hot water (about 60°C), which is also destructive to the pest.

Regular loosening of the soil and destruction of weeds create unfavourable conditions for the life and reproduction of the mole cricket.

Traps for mole crickets

Traps are effective in the fight against mole crickets. Manure, beer or honey can be used as bait.

The manure should be spread in small piles around the area, and the beer or honey should be placed in small containers buried in the ground at surface level. Pests attracted by the smell will fall into the traps, from where they can be easily removed and destroyed.

Natural enemies of the mole cricket

Attracting natural enemies of the mole cricket to the site is one of the environmentally safe methods of control. Hedgehogs, birds (starlings, rooks), lizards actively eat larvae and adult individuals. To attract birds, you can hang birdhouses, and for hedgehogs - create shelters from branches and leaves.

Biological drugs

In specialized stores you can buy biological preparations based on entomopathogenic nematodes or fungi.

These preparations are safe for humans and the environment, but are harmful to the mole cricket. The prepared solution of the preparation should be poured onto the soil in places where the pest accumulates.

Chemicals

In case of mass infestation of the area by mole crickets, you can resort to using chemical means of protection. Insecticides should be used strictly according to the instructions, observing safety measures.

It is important to remember that chemicals can negatively affect beneficial insects and soil microflora.

Prevention of the appearance of mole crickets

Preventive measures will help prevent the appearance of the mole cricket on the site. In the fall, it is recommended to remove plant debris, as they serve as a shelter for the pest.

In the spring, before planting crops, you can water the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate or an infusion of onion peel. These products repel the mole cricket and reduce the risk of its appearance.

Earlier we talked about why seedlings wither .