Grasshopper mitigation suggestions
Till the ground2x/year
Tilling garden soil in the summer, fall, and early spring can also be helpful. Female grasshoppers lay their eggs in the soil, so tilling the areas where eggs may be laid will encourage females to find a different location. Tilling the soil in late fall and early spring also destroy any eggs that females laid in the summer or early fall. There is no need to till any deeper than 2 to 3 inches.
Get rid of weeds
Regular weeding is another way to control grasshoppers naturally. Removing weeds and trimming back tall grasses will eliminate several hiding spaces where grasshoppers could be lurking. This will leave them exposed to natural predators, helping to further discourage them from your yard. Removing weeds in the garden will also help eliminate potential food sources for immature grasshopper nymphs after they hatch.
Nosema locustae
Nosema locustae is a naturally-occurring microbe fungus that infects and kills grasshoppers organically. The fungus spores affect a grasshopper’s digestive system, causing it to become lethargic and stop eating. Infected grasshoppers also transmit the disease to other insects. The product Semaspore Bait by Planet Natural contains Nosema locustae.
Ecobran
EcoBran (wheat bran carrying 2% carbaryl) targets grashoppers without harming birds or beneficial insects. Especially when used in conjunction with Nosema locustae this is the most cost-effective and organic way to eliminate grasshoppers.
Beauveria bassiana
Similar to Nosema locustae, Beauveria bassiana is a soil fungus that acts as a parasite, killing grasshoppers before they get the chance to damage your garden plants. After ingesting the natural spores, the grasshopper nymphs become infected and quickly die.
Create a bird-friendly garden
A range of wildlife act as natural predators for grasshoppers and often do not cause damage to your garden. Many birds (such as kestrels, larks, blue jays, blackbirds, great crested flycatchers, and bluebirds) gorge on small insects such as grasshoppers and can help control their populations. You can attract birds to your garden by setting up a water source, hanging bird feeders, providing nesting areas, and planting bird-friendly plants.
Floating Row Covers
You can protect your plants from chewing grasshoppers by using floating row covers. The physical barriers can protect prized vegetables from a grasshopper attack. You will need to use a good quality, lightweight fabric and avoid the fabric touching plant foliage.
DIY Neem Oil Spray
Neem oil works on grasshoppers due to a substance called azadirachtin. This plant chemical repels grasshoppers and interferes with their hormones, thus affecting the egg-laying process. Use two to three teaspoons of neem oil and a teaspoon of liquid dish soap for every quart of warm water. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and apply to plants and crops where grasshoppers frequent.
Garlic Spray
Grasshoppers are particularly susceptible to strong scents such as garlic which can discourage them from approaching your plants. To make a garlic spray, blend 2 bulbs of garlic with 1 qt of water and then boil. Leave overnight and then strain through muslin or cheesecloth Mix 1 part of this garlic concentrate to 10 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray in the morning when they plants are dry and coat them evenly including the undersides. Repeat once a week or more often if it rains frequently.
Mix hot peppers in with the garlic spray to increase the effectiveness. It will repel other insects too as both the taste and the smell are undesirable.
Repellant Plants
Dianthus, lantana, Chinese brake fern, moss rose, verbena, jasmine, sage, and crepe myrtle are just a few of the plants that repel grasshoppers. Using these as companion plants in your garden we certainly keey grasshoppers away.
Natural Traps
The easiest natural trap is a molasses trap, made up of 10 percent molasses's and 90 percent water. Place a yellow bucket of this mixture in the rows where your crops are planted to draw grasshoppers down from them. You can also bury a jar of the mixture halfway into the ground for the grasshoppers to jump right in.
It is worth using natural traps in conjunction with other control measures to ensure effectiveness.
Diatomaceous Earth
This fine grit works by cutting the insects bodies and absorbing escaping moisture, drying out the bugs. While diatomaceous earth is typically used for common houseplant pests, it can prove a good first line of defense in your outside garden too. Be sure to use the food-grade DE in your garden.
Flour
Some gardeners claim that dusting plants and crops with flour is a natural way to kill grasshoppers. It is said that the flour creates a sticky substance in grasshoppers’ mouths. This seemingly causes their mouths to stick together, preventing them from eating.