Grasshopper Insect Control the Natural Way

A grasshopper insect explosion may be a problem for you If you live in an area that grows crops and receives 10-30 inches of rain a year.

Areas of the Midwestern United States and Canada and even the Mountain States have more of a problem than we do here in the Mid-South.

The good news is that they live for 6-8 months in the egg stage and if fields are plowed in late fall it will help to reduce the possible infestation in the spring or early summer according to the book 1001 All-Natural Secrets to a Pest-Free Property

The bad news is that if they can't find their favorite food source, they aren't opposed to munching on your ornamental plants and they love your vegetables too.

They have even been known to consume the tender bark of shrubs and trees if nothing else is available.

With hundreds of species found all over North America, they can be a major garden pest for homeowners.

The problem for home owners is that one female grasshopper can lay between 200 and 400 eggs. These grasshoppers mature into adults in 40 - 60 days and these adults continue to eat your plants until the cold temperatures kill them.

You do have some environmentally safe options for dealing with grasshoppers.

Organic Grasshopper Control

Simple hand picking of garden pests, like grasshoppers, is one option for gardeners, but it's not the only option.

Grow Plants That Attract Beneficial Insects

Herbs like yarrow and parsley naturally attract the lady bug. Planting these around your garden is a good start to controlling unwanted pest.

Also, planting herbs like mint (plant in a buried pot with exposed lip so it won't travel) next to your cabbage keeps the pests from smelling the plant. If they can't smell it, they won't eat it or lay their eggs on it!

Planting tomatoes around your yard, instead of just one area, will keep them away from your plants. Tomatoes are a natural pest repellent and actually work great.

Make Your Garden A Backyard Wildlife Habitat

Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitats attract birds, frogs, mantids, lizards, rodents and other beneficial animals that love to search through the grass looking for baby grasshoppers in early spring. This is a fun way to not only control grasshopper insects, but also many other garden pests.

The more berried bushes, evergreens, herbs, flowers, water sources and perch areas you can supply for your furry friends outside, the better they will help you fight off your garden pests.

Use Row Covers

One of the best ways to deter insects like grasshoppers and the cabbage moth (that cute little white moth)is to use floating row covers held down with hoops or u-shaped pins, this white material covers your crop, letting light and rain in, while not allowing those pesky pests in for a meal.

If you are doing square foot gardening or have a plant here or there that you want to protect, you can make a cage out of chicken wire to cover your plant and then place the row cover cloth over it.

Give'Em What They Want!

Since grasshoppers love grass…let them have it! If your property can have a tallish stand of perennial grass such as crested wheatgrass,somewhere on your property, they will naturally gravitate towards it. Also eliminating roadside weeds helps tremendously.

Hit 'Em Where It Hurts

You can purchase products made from naturally occurring protozoans called Semaspore Organic Grasshopper Control.
These products work because the grasshoppers eat the protozoan, become infected and die. Along the way, they infect newly hatched grasshoppers. I love it when a plan comes together!

Another great option for grasshopper insect control is Garlic-Barrier Insect Repellent Garlic Barrier travels through the plant systemically, protecting roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruit. It does not change the taste or smell for humans or livestock, but insects can’t stand the natural sulfurs absorbed from the garlic. Insects that do come looking for a meal or a place to lay their eggs are repelled for 1-2 weeks, depending on the insect and conditions.

Hot Pepper Sprays For Grasshopper Insect Control

Onions, garlic and hot peppers or Tobacco Sauce are the ingredients for hot pepper sprays. Simply blend them together in a food processor with 2 cups of water and allow it ti stand for 1 hour. Strain and use 1/2 cup in 1 quart of water to stop grasshoppers from attacking your plants. Tip: Test the spray on a leaf before spraying the whole plant to be sure it's not too strong.

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