Hop Along, Young Grasshopper
Grasshoppers are an all-too-common invader of gardens across the country. They’re difficult to control because they are highly mobile and can do large amounts of damage in a very short period of time. You might think grasshoppers are just a summer problem, but there’s plenty you can do this spring to gauge what this year’s grasshopper levels will be like and maybe even prevent an infestation.
Viewer Tip: Grasshopper outbreaks are determined by a complex interaction of several factors, of which weather is the most important. Warm and dry spring conditions encourage nymphal growth. An early spring followed by cloudy, damp weather encourages diseases that sicken and kill grasshoppers. Although grasshoppers are difficult to control, their effects can be minimized by preventive management. Turning or tilling your soil in the spring can eliminate food sources for the newly hatched nymphs.
Season: Spring
This information is provided by ATTRA, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in Grasshopper Management: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/grasshopper.html.
