Hi Patricia,

Grasshoppers can indeed by a huge headache, and difficult to control.

Ecobran is an insecticide bait, it would be applied early in the season (now) in order to attract and kill the young grasshoppers in your area and prevent them becoming adults. 

Even so, though, because grasshoppers are so mobile, if it is a good year for grasshoppers (as last year seemed to be in Sedalia) more could just fly or hop in to your yard.  For these, hand-picking (in the morning, when they are sluggish) or contact-insecticide sprays can help mitigate damage.  Exclusion, when possible, is the only sure bet.

Once grasshoppers have invaded insecticides would need to be reapplied every few days as long as the invasion continues; read the product label to determine the allowable frequency of applications. Carbaryl and other insecticides such as cyfluthrin or other pyrethroids commonly used as sprays for grasshopper control are very toxic to bees and insect predators of grasshoppers.  Carbaryl in bait form (Ecobran) is less hazardous to bees. 

This CSU Fact Sheet contains a bit more information about grasshoppers in Colorado and their potential control in gardens: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/grasshopper-control-in-gardens-small-acreages-5-536/

I hope this is helpful!

Cordially,

John

Hi Patricia,

According to the National Pesticide Information Center, a cooperative educational center between Oregon State University and US EPA, carbaryl (the active ingredient in Ecobran) is "practically non-toxic or slightly toxic to birds."   

If that risk is not acceptable, hand-picking or exclusion would provide alternatives.

I hope this helps!

Cordially,

John

What a clever idea!  Please keep us in the loop as to if you notice a difference in numbers over the season as a result of your efforts.

Cordially,

John