Garden Pests & Grasshoppers

Pests in the garden are an unpleasant aspect of growing flowers and vegetables. The longtime use of chemical pesticides has created immunity among some of the bothersome bunch, resulting in the rethinking of their use. Control garden pests through the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Remove by Hand
- Ornamental damage from grasshoppers
  
  The steps of IPM include hand picking the grasshoppers (or other pests) when numbers are small. Pests should then be destroyed.
Plant a Crop to Trap Grasshoppers
- A "trap crop" may hold grasshoppers at bay.
  
  Grasshoppers create damage quickly and are difficult to control should they descend on the garden or flowerbed in large numbers. Prepare before you are attacked. The University of California recommends planting a "trap crop" around valuable plants. Border the area with tall grasses and keep them moist to keep the grasshoppers away from the prized garden specimens.
Biological Control
- Biological controls utilize predators of the pest.
  
  Adding protazoan pathogens to the area where grasshoppers hatch can eliminate problems before they begin. Biological controls consist of natural enemies and predators of a particular pest. Nolo Bait is one such product, working on young grasshoppers for 7 to 10 days.
Homemade Bait
- Protect valuable plantings from damage by pests.
  
  IPM uses chemical controls as a last resort. The Texas Cooperative Extension suggests using a "homemade bait" that includes the chemical Sevin for control of emerging grasshopper populations. Baits may only be effective for a few days.

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Yard Maintenance

Garden Pests & Grasshoppers

Remove by Hand

Plant a Crop to Trap Grasshoppers

Biological Control

Homemade Bait