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DESCRIPTION
Mole crickets are an unusual family of crickets that live underground. They have distinct front legs that assist them in tunneling through soil, hence how they get their name, "Mole" crickets. They are a common pest that can be found around the world and throughout the United States but are most know to be an issue in the south, damaging crops and turfgrass alike.
There are actually several different species of mole crickets: the tawny (Neoscapteriscus vicinus), southern (Neoscapteriscus borellii), and short-winged (Neoscapteriscus abbreviates) mole crickets. The northern mole cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) is the only species not considered a pest.
DAMAGE
Mole cricket damage is characterized by small networks of underground paths with elevated and bulged-up soil. The crickets damage grass seedings, foliage and stem tissue above ground and while below ground, (roughly 20 cm from the surface) they feed on roots and tubers. They tunnel below soil surface up to 20 feet per night dislodging plants and exposing the grass roots to desiccation, which causes them to dry out from reduced ability for water intake. They can lay 25 to 60 eggs beneath the soil, upon hatching, they burrow to the soil surface to feed (typically during the evening hours). The damage these ‘nymphs’ cause increases as they disperse and grow to adulthood.
The presence of theses creatures are not only damaging on their own, but they also attract larger turf-destroying predators such as raccoons, moles, skunks and voles.
The mole crickets are active year-around in southern states, but do most of their damage in spring from March until June, or in the fall from late August to early October.
MANAGEMENT
Before you even begin a control program, you need to determine you actually have a mole cricket infestation. First, mix 3 tablespoons of dish soap with 2 gallons of water, pour solution over suspected infested area. If you’re infested, the mole crickets will emerge from their burrows rather quickly, if present. It is then you can catch and neutralize them.
Cultural controls include not mowing your turf shorter than recommended and being sure to use a sharp blade when you mow. Proper irrigation practices as well as maintaining a neutral soil pH can also help to reduce the chance of Mole Cricket infestations.
Biological controls such as the Larra Wasp (larra bicolor), which is a natural enemy of each of the invasive mole cricket species, exist and require the planting of favored flowering plants to attract them to the area.
Another beneficial organism that will swim through soil and attack adult mole crickets are the parasitic nematodes, or microscopic round worms found in the mole cricket’s native South America. Once the nematode has entered the mole cricket’s body, a bacterium is released, killing the cricket and allowing the nematode to reproduce several hundred more to continue searching the soil for more hosts.
Granular fertilizer plus an insecticide is recommended to control these pests and repair the damage to the roots and stems of the turfgrass affected. Insecticides (Active Ingredients, AI's) such as bifenthrin
and imidacloprid
( found in brands like Allectus, Merit and Talstar) have proven to be effective methods of control. These technologies have sufficient residual activity so that applications for control of subsurface feeders, such as mole crickets, can be made preceding the egg-laying activity. It is recommended that you follow application with sufficient irrigation or rainfall to move the active ingredient into the soil.
PREVENTION
If you are in an area, which is prone to mole cricket damage or if you have had an infestation in the past, prevention is key. Typically, once an infestation is discovered the damage may be to grave repair. Annual applications of control products (example: Allectus, Merit and Talstar) are often recommended because an area that has been infested by mole crickets are likely to be re-infested. It would be wise to keep a record of these preferred mole cricket habitats for future application.
For professional fertilizers, humic and AMP-XC™ enriched products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service to find a distributor near you.
References:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1021
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/mole-crickets/
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/ORN/TURF/pest_mole_crickets.htm
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/mole-cricket-in-turf
https://stoppestinfo.com/263-how-to-get-rid-of-mole-crickets.html
http://media.clemson.edu/public/turfgrass/2018%20Pesticide%20RECS/2018%20Pest%20Control%20Recommendations.pdf
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/mole-cricket-management-in-turfgrass/
https://www.turfcaresupply.com/upload/documents/label/903064.pdf
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/LyraEDISServlet?command=getImageDetail&image_soid=FIGURE%202&document_soid=IN1021&document_version=84502
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/LyraEDISServlet?command=getImageDetail&image_soid=FIGURE%203&document_soid=IN1021&document_version=84502
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/mole-crickets/
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/LyraEDISServlet?command=getImageDetail&image_soid=FIGURE%2013&document_soid=IN1021&document_version=84502
Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.
Dear Valued Industry Partners and Customers, We are pleased to announce that Turf Care Supply, LLC has acquired Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (October 1, 2024) a respected manufacturer in the turf and ornamental fertilizer industry. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing you with an expanded range of innovative products, services, and industry expertise, all designed to support your business’s continued growth and success. As a valued partner or customer, you will benefit from enhanced service capabilities and an extended geographic reach, thanks to Agri-Nutrients, Inc.’s strategic facility located in the Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma. With this established presence in the Southwest and Western markets, Turf Care Supply, LLC’s expanded operational footprint will allow us to serve a broader region with greater efficiency, delivering even stronger support to help drive your business forward. We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high standards of service you expect. If you have any questions or would like to explore how this new location can enhance your operations, please feel free to contact your account manager or our customer service team. Thank you for your continued trust in Turf Care Supply, LLC. We look forward to partnering with you as we grow together and continue supporting your success. Sincerely, Mark Mangan President Turf Care Supply, LLC
With a focus on providing sustainable manufacturing and reducing carbon emissions, Turf Care Supply has embraced the electric power market with the latest mobile equipment upgrades. Completed in June 2023, TCS received all deliveries of electric forklifts to all three manufacturing facilities, including Hatfield, MA, Martins Ferry, OH and Sebring, FL.