Knowledgebase
Grasshopper damage #879113
Asked July 28, 2024, 1:15 PM EDT
I so appreciate your help. I lived in Breckenridge for 45 years and obviously never had problems with insect or rodents to the extreme nature its is here. The occasional vole but this is painful. your assistance is great. My grasshopper damage has worsened the a point as if my rabbit problem has become spotty and mid leaf. As you are aware our grasshopper infestation in the southeast of FOCO is devastating. I have tried everything and now hope that diatomaceous earth is the solution. Is it still effective after rain? does it need to be reapplied? Also, I know that the eggs and pupae overwinter in the soil. Is there anything I can do to eliminate them in the soil before they get even worse. They only stand to get worse considering how many will be laying eggs. I'm hoping I can use the same method with flea beetles which have destroyed my arugala which I know has become y sacrificial plant but hasn't completely stopped them from ruining other greens.
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
At this point in the season, the grasshoppers are too large to control. The only thing you can do at this point is cover or protect your most desirable crops with netting or floating row covers (which will also work for the flea beetles in early spring).
Diatomaceous earth will not be a controlling agent. Nor will neem, flour, or other recommendations you may have heard. While insecticides are an option, with everything in flower, you risk harming beneficial insects and pollinators.
Also, the grasshoppers will not lay eggs in urban areas - they will overwinter in open space, fields, etc. Many of the eggs will not survive, depending on the winter we have. Last year we had a mild winter and a very mild spring, which led to high grasshopper populations this summer.
