Having a beautiful and well-maintained garden is the dream of many people. But, did you know that pest attacks, especially grasshoppers can occur at any time?
Indeed, these garden pests seem OK, but grasshoppers can give severe damage to your favorite leafy plants, though.
That is why you need to look for strategies for getting rid of them once they grow uncontrolled.
Of the many ways, steps that use natural ingredients are prioritized. Likewise, it will not harm the surrounding environment and the plants themselves.
Yet, before going to the grasshopper’s eradication methods, it is better to know more about grasshoppers first.
Let us take a look how their life cycle, and what causes those pesky green hoppers to infest your garden.
Table of Contents
Grasshoppers are The Toughest and Most Destructive Pest
Grasshopper comes in many types, those are almost 600 species found, and 30 of them can cause
severe damage to vegetable plants and shrubs in the U.S.
The best-known are two-striped grasshoppers, locusts, differential grasshoppers, field grasshoppers, and
lubbers.
Each grasshopper’s species will have a different physical shape and body color. Some are olive, green, brown, to yellow.
Additionally, some types also have wings and can fly, too. This body structure makes grasshoppers the most difficult pests to control.
Their hind legs being longer than their forelegs, make it easier for grasshoppers to jump and move from one area to another.
Especially the one with wings. Moving and flying quickly is not an impossibility. Making a home gardener requires effort to eliminate the swarm.
To make matters worse, grasshoppers have a high appetite, so every time they occupy one area, they will eat so many plants that they leave ragged marks or holes on the leaves.
Some even weaken the stems, make them easily broken, and die. Worst of all, in a small garden, grasshoppers only need a matter of hours to kill all the leafy plants around.
Kinds of Grasshoppers
Grasshopper comes in many types, those are almost 600 species found, and 30 of them can cause severe damage to vegetable plants and shrubs in the U.S.
The best-known are two-striped grasshoppers, locusts, differential grasshoppers, field grasshoppers, and lubbers.
What Are They Eating?
Although they come in various species, they are all herbivorous insects that consume many leafy plants, crops, and shrubs, let alone those that thrive.
Moreover, they do not have to work hard to find them.
Grasshoppers Life Cycles
Unlike butterflies and most insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, grasshoppers are insects that only go through egg, nymph, and adult stages.
At the end of summer, adult female grasshoppers will lay their eggs in the garden’s soil and bury them. These eggs will stay through the winter and hatch in early springs.
After that, the newly hatched will immediately forage on the plant matter they find around them to survive.
When they become nymphs, they will molt five times over 4-7 weeks before finally getting bigger and becoming adult grasshoppers.
The adults will live for at least 1.5 to 2 months until they finally die of winter.
Grasshoppers Vs. Locust, What Are the Differences?
No doubt, there are still many home gardeners who are confused about distinguishing between grasshoppers and locusts.
Visually, they are not much different, though. But some behavior may tell you the difference.
Locusts will be able to fly and tend to swarm with their colonies when they are in the same area. Meanwhile, grasshoppers will not be swarming like that.
In short, what you need to remember is that all locusts are grasshoppers. However, not all grasshoppers are locusts.
It is because grasshoppers cannot fly as the locusts do.
Perfect Time for Grasshoppers to Infest Your Garden
Based on their life cycle, we know that the perfect times for grasshoppers to breed and infest your garden are in the summer.
They really like dry and warm places with dense grassland or shrubs to serve as their habitat.
So, it is better to eradicate them in these seasons if they continue to grow in uncontrolled numbers and damage the lawn in your home.
Besides the garden, grasshoppers may also enter your dwelling through windows and damage some plants in house too.
Although the chances are minimal, you still have to watch out for it.
Reason Why They Come
The three main reasons for the grasshoppers to infest your garden are:
- Your lawn is filled with weeds and dense grass, which is very beneficial for them to find food, lay their eggs, and shelter from their natural predators.
- In addition to liking grass, grasshoppers are also interested in seeds, clover, and corn. So, these plants might grab their attention.
- A grassland with few natural predators, such as lizards, birds, and spiders, will also be the leading destination for grasshoppers’ swarm.
Impact of Grasshoppers in Garden
It seems we are getting closer to the part of natural grasshopper eradication methods. But before that, let us look at some of the impacts of having grasshoppers in your garden.
Benefit
Unlike most plant pests that only harm the surroundings and are so disturbing, the presence of grasshoppers can also positively impact the ecosystem around.
Grasshoppers in small quantities will make the food chain in the garden run in balance. The grasshoppers provide food for other animals such as birds, spiders, and lizards.
In addition, their excrement can also function as a fertilizer in the soil.
Read Also: How to Get Rid of Bugs in Garden Soil Naturally
Negative Affect
The bad news is, when the grasshoppers have multiplied, filled your garden, and spent their entire lives there and eating plants, it will be very detrimental to you.
They are the ultimate herbivores, and if their growth is uncontrolled, it can seriously damage your entire lawn and vegetable plants.
So, before it happens, you should immediately follow the methods below.
Identifying Grasshoppers Damage to Crops
It is easy to identify damage to crops caused by grasshoppers. Most of the signs are the same as that of other nuisance pests, namely the number of ragged bite-sized holes on the leaves and stems of the plant.
Later, these chewed holes will weaken your fruit and vegetable plants and grow unhealthy.
Indeed, grasshoppers tend to like to eat a variety of plants. However, they will do the most damage on alfalfa, small grains, beans, corns, lettuces, carrots, tobacco, clovers, and onions.
10 Methods to Get Rid of Grasshoppers Naturally
As stated earlier, eradicating grasshoppers using natural steps is preferable to using toxic chemicals to minimize adverse effects on plants.
Below, we have compiled at least ten ways to get rid of grasshoppers eating plants in your garden naturally.
1. Use the Garlic Spray for Grasshoppers
None can deny the garlic spray’s ability to eradicate various pests on plants, including grasshoppers. The pungent smell and bitter taste keep these pesky hoppers away from your favorite plants.
So, if you wonder what the best grasshoppers repellent is, garlic spray might be the best choice then.
You can make a home remedy by mixing and boiling two bulbs of garlic and ten cups of water. Once the mixture is cooked, let it sit for about overnight.
Then, you can dissolve the liquid with water in a spray bottle the next day.
Spray garlic solution on your plants, especially on the infected parts. Do not forget the underside of the leaves too.
Since it is a solution of natural ingredients that will not harm your plants, you can spray it regularly for years.
For a more straightforward method, you can also buy garlic spray products in the marketplace.
2. Neem Oil to Control Grasshoppers Infestation
Not only effective at eradicating whiteflies, but neem oil can also get rid of grasshoppers’ infestation in your garden.
In addition to being repellent, neem oil can also inhibit growth and prevent their eggs from hatching in the spring.
So, regular spraying of neem oil solution can also effectively control the growth of grasshoppers.
Neem oil comes in many forms. There are liquids, powders, and granules, and you can choose whichever you need.
3. Sprinkle the Leaves with Flour to Avoid Grasshoppers Eating Plants
How do you kill a lot of grasshoppers? It is easy. Try dusting the flour on every heavily infected leaf surface.
When the grasshoppers land again to eat the leaves, they will immediately gum their mouths, starting to starve and eventually die.
But remember, do not sprinkle flour carelessly. Consider choosing all-purpose flour to avoid the salt that other types of flour may contain.
4. Hot Pepper Wax Spray is also Worth Trying
Indeed, the hot pepper wax spray can also repel the grasshoppers in your garden. You need to apply this commercial product on the plants, especially on the most damaged parts.
The strange smell and taste of pepper are so distasteful to grasshoppers that they will not come back to attack your plants.
Re-spray this organic pre-mix periodically or as needed because grasshoppers will not be completely eradicated if only sprayed once.
5. Insecticidal Soap
Organic insecticidal soap comes from various brands. You can purchase one as you need or even make your own at home to save more money.
Shortly after direct contact, the fatty acid content will immediately react on the grasshopper’s body. It will dehydrate the grasshopper and make them eventually die.
But please be careful! Ensure it is safe for your plants because some insecticidal soaps may not be friendly to plants.
6. Growing Flowers or Plants that Repel Grasshoppers
In addition to beautifying the garden, growing several types of flowers can also drive grasshoppers away from your plants.
Try it with Jasmine, Dianthus, Forsythia, Artemisia, Verbena, Moss Rose, Lilac, Salvia, Lantana, Juniper, or Crepe Myrtle.
Besides flowers, grasshoppers also do not like veggies, namely tomatoes, peas, and squash.
Instead of being useful as grasshoppers’ natural repellents, there is no harm in planting those plants in our garden.
7. Tall Grass to Trap Grasshoppers Then Catch Them
Catching grasshoppers in the garden has become a hobby for some kids. Take advantage of this situation to simultaneously control the growth of these green hoppers in your yard.
Provide a particular space with high and dense grass. Grasshoppers will like this place. Use the land as a distraction so that grasshoppers do not come and damage your other favorite plants.
When you see a swarm of grasshoppers on the tall grassland, immediately catch them and throw them away from the garden.
8. Keep Some Chickens and Guinea Fowls
Chickens and Guinea Fowls are some of the many natural predators of grasshoppers that you can keep. Although there are pros to this strategy because they can control the locust swarms.
Yet, they may also eat the plants in your garden in some cases, so be sure to be careful. Ensure the chickens are only hunting grasshoppers and not eating your vegetable crops.
9. Invite the Natural Predators
Other natural predators such as birds (swallows), frogs, lizards, praying mantis and spiders can also help you control grasshoppers for the long term.
Put some things that attract these animals to come to your garden and prey on grasshoppers.
For example, hang bird feeders to attract swallows, build small ponds for frogs to visit, and rock piles to attract lizards.
If you find a spiderweb or two, consider not cleaning it to trap the grasshoppers.
10. Put Bait Traps in Yard
Bait traps of sugar molasses will attract grasshoppers to land. Set up your DIY project for bait traps by providing a bowl with 90% water and the remaining 10% for molasses on top.
Let the grasshoppers get closer, try to eat the sugar molasses, and fall trapped in the water and kill them.
Preventing Them from Coming Back
Preventive action is needed so that all the strategies in eradicating the grasshoppers above do not run in vain.
Regular treatment is crucial, and try to apply the four strategies below if you want your garden to be free of planthoppers.
1. Tilling the Ground from Mid to Late Summer
Tilling the ground is a practical solution to control the proliferation of grasshoppers in the garden.
Do this method in mid to late summer to minimize areas that might be a place for female grasshoppers to lay their eggs.
Furthermore, you can do a second tilling around late autumn to early spring to prevent the possibility of grasshoppers’ eggs in the soil hatching and the nymph eating plant matter around to survive.
2. Protect the Plants Using Floating Row Cover from Fabric or Cheesecloth
Cover your plants with floating row covers of cloth or cheesecloth to protect them from re-attack by grasshoppers.
According to Harvest-Guard standards, 5×25′ and 5×50′ are the best to apply.
3. Keep Regular Trimming and Free the Garden from Weed
The dense weed and tall grass are a favorite habitat for grasshoppers.
Therefore, prune your garden regularly and make it weed-free to keep it looking beautiful, well-maintained, and away from the annoying grasshoppers.
4. Spray the Plants with Vinegar or Other Repellent Organic Solutions
Spraying vinegar or other organic repellents can help eliminate grasshoppers in your garden. The acidic content in the vinegar will be able to prevent the nymph from molting.
Of course, this will also affect the appetite of the newly hatched grasshoppers so that they starve for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Suppose you are wondering, “are grasshoppers insects?”. Then the answer is yes. The grasshopper is an insect in the order Orthoptera.
Furthermore, they are the most common jumping pests. In general, these insects also closely related to crickets and katydids.
Adult grasshoppers have narrow-long bodies, approximately 3 inches, and a pair of small antennae on their heads.
Moreover, their front and hind legs also have different sizes. The front ones are smaller, and a pair of hind legs are longer to help them jump quickly.
Different species will come in different colors, though. Some are brown, olive, and green. For certain grasshoppers, it also has wings and can fly too.
So, when you ask, “will vinegar kill grasshoppers?” it is clearly yes.
After knowing how to get rid of grasshoppers and the four preventive actions, now you should not have to worry about caring for your garden anymore. Hence, your veggies and fruit crops will thrive.