Do Grasshoppers Eat Grass?
Grasshoppers are a common sight across Texas, especially during the hot summer months. While they may seem like just another insect in your yard, these voracious feeders can cause significant damage to your lawn and garden. But do grasshoppers eat grass? The simple answer is yes, grasshoppers do eat grass and can cause significant damage to your lawn, but there’s more to the story.
What Do Grasshoppers Eat?
Grasshoppers are herbivores, meaning they primarily feed on plants. Their diet includes:
- Grasses: Common lawn grasses like Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia
- Garden vegetables: Lettuce, beans, corn, carrots, and cabbage are frequent targets
- Flowers and ornamental plants: Sunflowers, marigolds, and zinnias are among their favorites
- Weeds and native plants: They often consume broadleaf weeds and wild vegetation
- Grain crops: Wheat, oats, barley, and other cereal crops
Grasshoppers have strong mandibles that allow them to chew through thick vegetation, making them a serious threat to lawns and gardens alike.
What Does Grasshopper Damage Look Like?
Grasshopper damage is easy to spot once you know what to look for:
- Jagged Holes in Leaves: Grasshoppers chew irregular holes in leaves, especially along edges.
- Skeletonized Leaves: They sometimes eat only the soft tissue between veins, leaving the veins intact.
- Wilting or Browning: Continued feeding can weaken plants, causing them to wilt or yellow.
- Droppings (Frass): Small black pellet-like droppings accumulate on plants or the ground.
- Defoliation: In severe cases, plants may lose large amounts of leaves, leading to a bare or stripped appearance.
- Vegetable Damage: Grasshoppers often target crops like lettuce and beans, damaging leaves and stems.
- Grass Damage: Lawns may develop bald or yellow patches as grasshoppers feed on blades.
If you see these signs, it’s time to take action to prevent further damage.
Why Are Grasshoppers a Problem in Texas?
Texas has the perfect climate for grasshoppers to thrive—hot summers, mild winters, and open landscapes. Some factors that contribute to large grasshopper populations include:
- Drought Conditions: Dry weather forces grasshoppers to search for food in residential areas.
- Warm Winters: Milder winters mean more eggs survive, leading to larger outbreaks in spring and summer.
- Abundant Vegetation: If you have a well-maintained lawn and garden, it can become a buffet for hungry grasshoppers.
How to Get Rid of Grasshoppers
If you’re noticing an increase in grasshopper activity around your home, these steps will help you control their population and minimize the damage they cause to your lawn and garden.
Use Organic or Chemical Treatments
- Neem Oil: Neem oil is a natural pesticide that works well to deter grasshoppers. It disrupts their feeding and reproductive cycles, causing them to stop feeding and eventually die. You can mix neem oil with water and spray it directly onto plants, ensuring full coverage on both the tops and bottoms of leaves.
- Garlic Spray: Garlic is another organic solution that can repel grasshoppers. You can make your own garlic spray by blending garlic cloves with water, straining the mixture, and applying it to plants. The strong odor deters grasshoppers and other pests.
- Nosema Locustae: This is a biological control that targets grasshoppers. It’s a natural fungus that infects grasshoppers and reduces their population over time. While it may take a few weeks to show results, it’s safe for pets, wildlife, and beneficial insects like bees.
- Insecticides: In severe infestations, chemical insecticides may be necessary. Pyrethroid insecticides are commonly used for grasshopper control, but it’s essential to use them sparingly to avoid harming beneficial insects. Consult a lawn care professional to determine the best treatment options for your specific situation.
Modify Your Landscape
- Mow Your Lawn Regularly: Grasshoppers are attracted to tall grass, as it provides them with a safe haven. Regularly mowing your lawn and trimming tall weeds helps remove their hiding spots and reduces their habitat, making it harder for them to settle in.
- Remove Weeds and Overgrown Vegetation: Grasshoppers are drawn to weeds and overgrown plants. By keeping the edges of your lawn neat and clearing unwanted vegetation from around your garden, you’ll reduce the areas where grasshoppers like to congregate.
- Use Mulch Sparingly: While mulch is beneficial for plants, thick layers can create an environment where grasshoppers thrive. Use mulch carefully, ensuring it’s not too deep or dense.
Encourage Natural Predators
- Create a Bird-Friendly Yard: Birds are natural predators of grasshoppers, and many species, like sparrows and swallows, feast on them. By attracting more birds to your yard, you can help control the grasshopper population naturally. Installing bird feeders, birdhouses, and water sources like a birdbath will encourage birds to visit and stay.
- Support Toads and Frogs: Toads, frogs, and other amphibians also consume grasshoppers. If you have a pond or a wet area on your property, you may attract more of these natural predators.
- Encourage Predatory Insects: Certain insects, such as predatory beetles, ants, and spiders, naturally hunt grasshoppers. Avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides that could harm these beneficial predators. Planting diverse flowering plants can help support these insects and encourage them to thrive in your garden.
How to Get Rid of Grasshoppers Naturally
If you prefer eco-friendly solutions, several natural methods can help you keep grasshopper populations under control without relying on harsh chemicals.
Plant Deterrent Crops
- Cilantro: Grasshoppers dislike cilantro’s strong aroma, making it an excellent plant to use in your garden as a natural repellent. Planting cilantro around your vegetables or in other areas of your garden can help deter grasshoppers from feeding on more valuable plants.
- Calendula: The bright flowers of calendula may attract beneficial insects, but grasshoppers tend to avoid them. Planting them as a border or alongside other crops can help protect more vulnerable plants.
- Horehound: Known for its strong smell, horehound can act as a natural deterrent for grasshoppers. Growing horehound in your garden or alongside other plants can help keep grasshoppers away.
Apply Diatomaceous Earth
- Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth: This natural substance is a powerful deterrent for grasshoppers. It’s made from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and works by dehydrating insects when they come in contact with it. Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your lawn or garden to create a barrier that kills grasshoppers on contact. Be sure to reapply after rainfall or irrigation.
Use Floating Row Covers
- Protect Your Vegetables: If grasshoppers are particularly attacking your vegetable garden, floating row covers provide an effective, pesticide-free solution. These lightweight fabrics create a barrier between your plants and the grasshoppers, allowing sunlight and water to reach the plants but keeping the pests out. Be sure to secure the edges to prevent grasshoppers from slipping underneath.
Create a Trap Crop
- Lure Grasshoppers Away: A trap crop is a patch of plants that are more attractive to grasshoppers than the crops you want to protect. For example, plant tall grasses or legumes away from your main garden, and the grasshoppers will be drawn to these less valuable plants. This will help reduce the number of pests on your valuable plants and may also make it easier to remove them from the trap crop once they’ve gathered.
Make DIY Grasshopper Repellent Spray
Vinegar can be used as a natural grasshopper repellent. The strong acidity and smell deter grasshoppers from feeding on plants. Here’s how you can use it effectively:
- Make a Vinegar Spray:
- Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water in a spray bottle.
- Add a few drops of dish soap to help the solution stick to plants.
- Apply to Affected Areas:
- Spray directly on plants that grasshoppers are eating.
- Avoid over-spraying, as vinegar can harm plant leaves if used excessively.
- Use Around the Garden:
- Spraying vinegar on fences, garden beds, and around the perimeter of your yard can create a barrier that deters grasshoppers.
Caution:
- Vinegar can damage plants if applied too frequently or in high concentrations. Test on a small area first.
- Reapply after rain or watering for continued effectiveness.
If you’re looking for a natural approach, vinegar is a simple and affordable solution to help reduce grasshopper infestations!
Protecting Your Lawn From Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers do eat grass, and if left unchecked, they can cause significant damage to Texas lawns. By understanding their habits and taking preventive measures, you can protect your yard and enjoy a lush, green lawn throughout the year. If you’re struggling with a severe grasshopper infestation, consider reaching out to your lawn care professionals at Dr. John's Lawn Prescription LLC for expert advice and treatment options. Contact us today to learn more about our lawn pest control!