In large numbers, grasshoppers are a serious problem for farmers and home gardeners.
Before undertaking wholesale eradication, though, be aware that grasshoppers do offer some benefit to the environment.
It’s not until the plant damage becomes widespread that serious control efforts should be considered.
The Spruce / Madelyn Goodnight
They may also eatlettuce,carrots,beans,sweet corn, andonions.
Grasshoppers are less likely to feed on plants such as squash, peas, and tomato leaves.
Grasshoppers are most likely to cause damage in the central U.S.from Montana and Minnesota to New Mexico and Texas.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Identifying Grasshoppers
Young grasshoppers are smaller than adults and are wingless.
When first hatched, these nymphs are white.
Adult grasshoppers are reddish-brown to olive green, depending on the species.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Most grasshoppers have distinctively long, angled back legs that allow them to be strong jumpers.
They have protruding heads dominated by large eyes and chewing mouthparts.
Adult grasshoppers have wings and can fly.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Grasshoppers first appear in early spring, with the greatest numbers generally occurring in mid-summer.
Grasshoppers' populations are likely to be highest when the weather is hot and dry.
Grasshoppers arehemimetabolousinsects, which means they do not undergo metamorphosis, as do butterflies and many other insects.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
When population densities become very high, environmental conditions may cause some species to change color and form swarms.
At this point, they are often known as locusts.
The best way to control grasshopper damage is to prevent the growth of populations.
Steven Depolo / Flicker
A number of natural solutions can be used and should be tried before you reach for synthetic chemical controls.
Encourage Natural Predators
Many insect-eating birds, such as swallows, are notable grasshopper predators.
Other animal species also eat grasshoppers, such as praying mantis insects, small snakes, and toads.
Any garden practices that encourage these natural predators will be effective at reducing or eliminating grasshopper infestations.
These eggs overwinter in the soil and hatch in the spring.
Good weeding practice goes a long way toward reducing overall grasshopper populations.
This spray will deter grasshoppers and other feeding insects.
This remedy will need to be reapplied whenever rain washes away the flour.
Other domestic birds, such as ducks and geese, also serve this function.
If organic control is your goal, avoid compounds labeled as pyrethroids.
These pesticides add synthetic chemical compounds to natural pyrethrins, and thus cannot be considered organic pesticides.
What Causes Grasshoppers in the Garden?
Grasshoppers are likely to be a problem in your garden whenever regional populations have spiked.
But during peak years, grasshoppers will eat almost any garden crops as well as ornamental plants.
In peak years, grasshopper infestations have been known to destroy or consume entire crop fields.
In some areas, up to 25 percent of crops are routinely lost to grasshoppers.
However, grasshoppers typically produce a distinctive throw in of plant damage, eating away large portions of leaves.
The holes are generally large with ragged edges.
And grasshoppers usually begin their infestation of plants in the spring, while the insects are still young.
Beetles will devour nearly the entire leaf but they usually leave behind a wispy skeleton of leaf veins.
They can nearly defoliate an entire plant, while grasshoppers are more random feeders.
But there is no venom in the bite, and grasshoppers are not considered dangerous insects.
This fluid is harmless, though it can create stains that are hard to remove.
This should not be attempted lightly, as there are some brightly colored grasshoppers that are poisonous.
But don’t try this unless it’s under the supervision of an expert.
University of California Integrated Pest Management.
Grasshoppers and Their Control - how to get rid of grasshoppers.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Mochiah MB, Banful B, Fening KN, et al.
Botanicals for the management of insect pests in organic vegetable production.
