Lawn Disaster!
Last year, I noticed tiny black mounds the size of a quarter throughout my centipede grass lawn. I had read that earthworms can dig small mounds, and I found similar photos on my google search. Relieved, i was happy to have worms churning and nourishing my soil.
After a few weeks, large patches of green grass were turning brown and stepping on the lawn seemed more like stepping on a sponge. I went to Google once more searching all the symptoms I was observing, and an unwelcome result popped up - MOLE CRICKETS!
There were natural remedies using a solution of water and dish-washing liquid that would flush the pests above ground. I followed the directions online, and I flushed out the first culprits. These trespassers were about 1-2 inches long, dark brown, with tiny mole-like digging claws, and a roach-like body. Even though I caught quite a few, each day that followed I continued to watch the grass turn brown. Unfortunately, when I started naturally treating them, there were too many underground feasting on the delicious grass roots. By the time I resorted to the "Bug Blaster" granules from a home & garden store, my lawn was gone!
Do not despair. My grass grew back this spring with a lot of TLC by raking, watering, and a continuous schedule of various granule brands that kill the larvae that create mole crickets. Then turf builder was applied when the soil was warm enough in June. I have never appreciated a lush green lawn as much as I do now!