Home >> Science & Nature >> Insects & Science

How Do I Kill Grasshoppers Without Chemicals in Colorado?

Grasshoppers belong in the family Acrididae and are most closely related to crickets. There are over 100 species of grasshoppers in Colorado and they are among the most difficult insects to control. Grasshoppers commonly feed on flowers, produce, shrubs and tree leaves and can cause noticeable damage to gardens and yards. There are many chemical pesticides that kill grasshoppers, but there are also some safe and chemical-free ways that are just as effective.

Things You'll Need

Nosema locustae bait
Shrubs with berries
Birdbaths
3 oz. minced garlic cloves
1 oz. mineral oil
1 tsp. fish emulsion
16 oz. of water
1 tbsp. castile soap
Spray bottle
Glass jar
Cilantro or horehound

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase some organic bait containing the protozoan Nosema locustae from your local nursery. It's a single-celled microbe that infects all stages of developing grasshoppers when ingested.
- 2
  Apply about a 1-foot-wide barrier of Nosema locustae around your garden, yard or any other area you want to be protected from grasshoppers.
- 3
  Attract birds to prey on and control the grasshopper population in your yard. Plant shrubs with berries or install some birdbaths to encourage birds to frequently visit your yard.
- 4
  Make your own homemade garlic oil spray to repel grasshoppers in your garden. Combine 3 oz. of minced garlic cloves with 1 oz. of mineral oil and let soak for at least 24 hours. Mix 1 tsp. of fish emulsion with 16 oz. of water and 1 tbsp. of castile soap. Combine the fish emulsion water and garlic oil and store in a sealed glass jar. Mix 2 tbsp. of garlic oil with 1 pint of water in a spray bottle and spray on vegetables and plants to create a natural barrier against grasshoppers.
- 5
  Plant the herbs cilantro or horehound (Marrubium vulgare) around your yard or garden. These herbs are known to repel grasshoppers.

Insects & Science