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Publication #IPM-144

 

How to Use Nematac® S against Pest Mole Crickets on Home Lawns1

N. C. Leppla, J. H. Frank and J. A. Graesch2

Nematac® S is a proprietary formulation of the insect-parasitic nematode, Steinernema scapterisci. These nematodes are released in their infective juvenile stage to search out and enter pest mole crickets through natural body openings. Once inside, the nematodes release symbiotic bacteria that quickly kill adult and large immature nymphs. Reproduction inside mole crickets releases new generations of infective juveniles that disperse in search of further prey. Nematodes can also be spread by infected mole crickets that disperse throughout an area. When applied to the soil, Nematac® S provides prolonged protection against pest re-infestation and is considered safe to use around children, pets, and plants.

Figure 1. 

Mole cricket damage to the turfgrass industry exceeds $100 million per year in the Southeast United States.


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Figure 2. 

Tunnels at the soil surface are a sign of mole cricket infestation.


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Mole crickets can severely damage home lawns in Florida, especially bermudagrass or bahiagrass lawns. Nematac® S is patented by the University of Florida for use against mole crickets and licensed exclusively to Becker Underwood for production and distribution as a biopesticide. It only infects adult and large immature mole crickets (1 – 1½ inches long).

Applications of Nematac® S should be made to moist soil and applied in the early morning or late evening to avoid high temperatures and nematode desiccation. Remove all sprayer filters of 50 mesh or finer and maintain pump pressure below 300 psi to avoid damaging nematodes. Irrigate immediately after application with plain water to wash nematodes into the soil. Soil temperatures should be 55-100°F (12-38°C).

What You Need to Do:

  1. Check your lawn to determine whether it is infested with mole crickets. Signs include patches of dead grass and tunnels visible on the soil surface. In the early morning, find a 2 X 2 ft (4 ft2) area of grass where mole crickets are suspected to be present. Mix a solution made of 1 – 2 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing detergent in 1 gallon of water and pour over the area. Control is justified if two to four large mole crickets come to the surface within three minutes.

  2. Purchase Nematac® S. The nematodes do not infect small mole crickets so make sure nymphs are at least 1 – 1½ inches long before placing an order. In Florida, adult mole crickets are most abundant in September through November and February through April. Nematac® S should be kept refrigerated at about 41°F and used within four weeks of receipt. Nematac® S is supplied only by Becker Underwood (http://www.beckerunderwood.com/). The minimum order is one case with two trays, each tray containing 250 million nematodes, enough to treat ¼ acre. Contact Al Clarke, Southeastern Territory Manager (al.clarke@beckerunderwood.com, 407-474-8303) for more information.

  3. Apply Nematac® S. Apply the nematodes at dawn or dusk, when the area to be treated is not in direct sunlight and is moist from rain or irrigation. Mix the nematodes with water, keep agitated, and apply immediately over the area to be treated. Irrigate again to wash the nematodes into the soil (about ¼ inch of water). Detailed application instructions are available at the Becker Underwood website.

For more mole cricket control options see:

References

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN249

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN391

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN413

Footnotes

1.

This document is IPM-144 (IN674), one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Originally published: September 2006. Revised June 2010. Please visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

N. C. Leppla, professor/director-IPM Florida, and J. H. Frank, professor Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; J. A. Graesch, nematode field development specialist, Becker Underwood, Ames, IA.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.