Grasshoppers

Any one know how to control grasshoppers. They have almost ruined my tomatillos and eggplant. I went to the garden supply store and bought $38.00 worth of Nolobait and scattered all around all my boxes and even some in the boxes. It may have helped some but the damage is continuing. As a side note I watered real early this morning and found three squash bugs. Looks like a tough year.

Hi John,

I also had major problems with grasshoppers eating everything including my potted citrus trees.  In researching the problem I found that it can take several years to get a major infestation under control. It's a two part program, (1) getting rid of the grasshoppers and (2) preventing them from eating the plants.

To control the grasshoppers:  Grasshoppers breed in bare ground so covering bare ground with mulch, grass, etc. helps.

Nolobate is a bait that carries a disease of grasshoppers and is used as the primary control.  It works by causing them to stop feeding, become lethargic and die.  Because it's not a poison, it doesn't work rapidly.  However, it's contagious to grasshoppers, so once the colony is infected it spreads and helps control future generations. 

The first application of Nolobate should be in early spring before grasshoppers get to be more than about 3/4" in size (3rd or 4th instar).  It's not effective against the immune system of mature grasshoppers.  Heavy applications are not as effective as multiple very light ones.  The bait needs to be applied to as large an area as possible being careful to bait all areas of bare ground, not just near the garden. (It doesn't take much bait to cover a lot of ground because it's spread sparingly.) The best time to apply is early morning and at dusk when young grasshoppers are most active.   Be persistent!  I have now applied Nolobate about eight times since April and am seeing good results.

To shield the plants: regular applications of Surround deter the grasshoppers from eating plants.  It needs to be applied to all plants the grasshoppers eat and re-applied every two weeks and after each rain. 

BTW: If you mix it with AzaMax, it's also a very effective against squash bugs.

Hope this helps,
Gloria

Thanks Gloria for the information, I used the nolobait all wrong. I thought more is better so I scattered the whole bag.  I don't know what BTW is or the other stuff you mentioned but I bet the garden center does so when I go to get more nolobait I will ask.

BTW = By The Way ?? Don't know if the garden center carries it!   

Oooops...... sorry about that.  BTW = "By the way".


AzaMax by General Hydroponics is an OMRI listed broad spectrum insecticide for vegetable gardens.   It claims it's a "Natural product with a broad spectrum of pest control and broad plant applications"  I buy it online at:   http://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-GH2045-4-Ounce-AzaMax/dp/B0032JYKGG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404756881&sr=8-1&keywords=azamax 

It doesn't take much AzaMax to make a gallon solution and I find I don't need to use it often, but it works great when I do.

I also purchase Surround which is superfine kaolin clay powder online.  There are quite a few sources  - so you need to shop around to get the best price.  It takes about 1-cup per gallon of water.

My garden center doesn't carry either the AzaMax or Surround, but the local feed store does, although the price is a bit higher than online.

I say take them fishing!!

For Vermont and New Hampshire, I usually don't see a lot of grasshoppers until at least August. (or close to there)

Thanks all for all the tips. Where would you go to find BTW? I called my garden center and they (as you all said) have neither BTW or AzaMax. I will use the post from Gloria for the AzaMax.

Hi John,

I'm so sorry I've caused confusion.  The contraction BTW means "by the way".  Just like we say MM when we mean Mels Mix.

The two products I use are Surround and AzaMax.

Hope this helps,
Good gardening,
Gloria

I don't feel stupid or anything like that. 

John, please don't!  I shouldn't have used the contraction.  I simply wasn't thinking and should have realized that it's not a universally understood term.     

What we need to focus on is getting our crops past the grasshoppers. 
We're all here to help each other.  

John,  I can't remember all the times I've had a red face on this Forum.  I just keep learning. . .   Thank goodness this is a friendly and kind place to learn.

It can be surprising to find people here unfamiliar with contractions you've seen on the internet for 20 years, but it still happens fairly regularly. I think it happens here much more than usual because the age range skews older than on most sites. I have to keep reminding myself not to use them.

I read this thread a few days ago and thought, 'Hmmm . . . I've seen a few grasshoppers around lately; I'll have to pay more attention next time I'm out watering."  So last night I'm out in my garden, happily watering away, when I spotted a grasshopper in my yellow pear tomato plant, which is now about 6 feet high and climbing up my trellis.  Then, I looked more closely and it was like a horror movie - there were eyes EVERYWHERE!!!!!    I think I counted at least 16 grasshoppers in that plant alone before I freaked out and went inside.  I've got a PLAGUE out there.  
Plus, I found that I have an infestation of squash bugs so I'm going to have to sacrifice my yellow crookneck squash plant and hope that I can control them and save the rest of my plants.  My poor beautiful garden is being overtaken  
Karla

Hi Karla,

You don't need to sacrifice the squash. There are a number of things you can do to control squash bugs.  

If you don't want to use Surround and AzaMax, you can spray with Neem oil early in the morning or late evening.  You can "vacuum" them up with a small hand-held vacuum cleaner.  (I did that last year with fairly good success.)  You can use DE.  It works OK - but not as good as Surround. 

I'm sure other forum members have more ideas.  But the most important thing is to be persistent with whatever solution you choose. Squash bugs are opportunists - as soon as you turn your back they return.

Good luck,
Gloria

I am overrun with hoppers. Can anyone tell me if cornmeal works and how to use it? I am from WA State. Thanks 

Dirt 51,  Welcome to the Forum!      I combined your Grasshopper question with another recent "Grasshopper" Topic.  Hopefully you will get some feedback as to whether cornmeal works.  You can also use the Search box for many past discussions on questions you may have as you continue to garden.  Again, Welcome!  

Did I read right that if you use Surround and AzaMax for squash bugs then you have to hand pollinate? My AzaMax arrived yesterday, but no luck with the Surround. Did find DE so I will go with that if I can't find Surround. Did get more Nolobait so the war will continue. 

Hi John

Yes - I hand pollinate. Although some of my squash have set even without me doing that.   Hand pollinating is so easy, I'd rather not take the chance.

Here's a link to some websites that sells Surround. Many of them have a phone number to place orders as well as the online purchase option.  For me the Groworganic was the least expensive option. Also, I ordered the 25 lb bag, because the cost of smaller packages was about the same as the 25 lb bag and will just save the extra for next year.

http://www.groworganic.com/surround-25-lb.html 
http://www.7springsfarm.com/surround-wp-crop-protectant-25lb/
http://www.planetnatural.com/product/surround-crop-protectant/
http://www.gardensalive.com/surround-at-home-crop-protectant/p/8072/
http://www.amazon.com/East-and-West-K-1-Kaolin/dp/B001K2HY74/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405087942&sr=8-2&keywords=surround+wp

Hope this helps.
Gloria

Lately, my father and/or one of the others in our family, have been complaining about grasshoppers at our new-to-us property.
We have been here for 18 months.

Two grasshoppers managed to get into my bedroom, which is on the ground floor of our split-level ranch.

But only confirmed some holes on one of our sunflower plants.

But I dunno what was chowing on the sunflower leaves...

I have been dispatching some grasshoppers this summer, as usual. They can just chow down on sunflower, sweet potato, pepper, beans leaves, not to mention some of the fruit. But, to have one in the house!!

One grasshopper in my bedroom today.

How are they getting in, do you know?

sanderson wrote:   How are they getting in, do you know?  

I honestly think the foyer entrance.