How to Get Rid of Grasshoppers: Effective Control And Prevention Tips

There’s nothing more frustrating than pouring time and effort into your garden, only to have it turned into a buffet for grasshoppers. Unlike some pests that stick to specific plants, these hungry little jumpers will munch on just about anything, wiping out months of hard work in no time.

If you’ve ever battled grasshoppers, you know they’re not easy to handle. When they hatch in large numbers, they can tear through a garden in just a few hours, thanks to their powerful legs and ability to leap or fly from one plant to another.

And they don’t just stay put—they’ll happily hop between gardens, moving from yard to yard, making them even trickier to control.

But don’t worry! This guide will walk you through effective ways to manage and eliminate grasshoppers, whether you’re dealing with a small problem or a full-blown infestation. Let’s dive into the best strategies to protect your plants and keep these pests at bay.

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What are Grasshoppers?

Grasshoppers are fascinating insects with an impressive ability to jump great distances, thanks to their powerful hind legs. Found in the order Orthoptera, these plant-loving insects are usually green or brown, blending in with their surroundings. They have short antennae, elongated bodies, small front legs, and well-developed wings.

While they might seem harmless at first glance, grasshoppers are notorious for their voracious appetite, making them a major nuisance for gardeners and farmers alike.

In the U.S., common species include field grasshoppers (Chorthippus), two-striped and differential grasshoppers (Melanoplus), lubbers (Romaleidae), and the infamous swarming locusts (Schistocerca). These insects are closely related to crickets and katydids, sharing similar characteristics and behaviors.

If you’ve noticed leaves and stems mysteriously vanishing from your plants, grasshoppers might be the culprits. They can eat up to 50% of their body weight daily, quickly stripping plants of their foliage.

Left unchecked, they can decimate a garden, leaving plants unable to recover. Even a small number of grasshoppers can cause significant damage, especially to young crops.

Adult grasshoppers grow between one and two inches long and can be brown, green, or yellowish-red. They have strong jaws for chewing, short antennae, and fully developed wings. Nymphs, their immature stage, look similar but lack fully formed wings, instead sporting small wing buds.

Managing grasshopper populations can be tricky, as they are highly mobile and difficult to contain. According to the USDA, just ten adults per square yard can cause economic damage, while as few as six or seven per square yard on ten acres of pasture can consume as much as a single cow.

In agricultural settings, outbreaks can be devastating, and control measures often involve sprays or bait treatments.

Fast Facts About Grasshoppers

• Grasshoppers are one of the hardest insects to control due to their mobility.
• They lay their eggs in the soil.
• Colorado alone is home to over 100 different grasshopper species.
• Outbreaks often require pest management strategies, including natural, organic, and chemical solutions.

While grasshoppers can be destructive, they also play an essential role in the ecosystem. They provide food for birds, lizards, and other insects, and their waste helps fertilize plants.

A few grasshoppers in your yard are not necessarily a bad thing—in fact, they can indicate a healthy, balanced environment. However, if their numbers explode and plant damage becomes widespread, it’s time to take action.

The Life Cycle of a Grasshopper 

Ever wondered how grasshoppers seem to show up out of nowhere, hopping through fields and gardens? Well, their life cycle follows a predictable rhythm, and understanding it can help you manage their presence—especially if they’re munching on your plants.

Grasshoppers start their journey as eggs, which the females bury in clusters beneath dry, undisturbed soil at the end of summer. These eggs remain dormant throughout the winter, waiting for the right conditions to hatch in the spring. As temperatures rise, tiny nymphs emerge and immediately start feeding on fresh foliage.

At this early stage, nymphs are small, wingless, and pale in color. As they grow, they shed their outer layer multiple times—typically five or six molts—gradually developing into their adult form. Over the next few weeks, they take on the color of their species, sprout wing pads, and gain the ability to jump long distances using their powerful hind legs.

By mid-summer, most grasshoppers reach adulthood. Adults can be anywhere from an inch to nearly three inches long, with colors ranging from reddish-brown to olive green. Unlike their younger selves, they now have fully developed wings and can fly.

During this stage, they spend their time feeding, mating, and laying eggs, continuing the cycle for the next generation.

Interestingly, not all grasshoppers follow the exact same timeline. While most overwinter as eggs and emerge in spring, some—like the speckled-winged grasshopper—spend winter as nymphs and continue growing during warmer periods.

Environmental conditions can also influence their behavior. In years with hot, dry weather, populations tend to spike, and in extreme cases, some species may even form swarms—these are the ones we call locusts.

While not all grasshoppers are harmful, the ones that are can quickly wreak havoc on crops and gardens. Knowing their life cycle gives you an advantage—if you can disrupt them early, especially before they reach their most destructive adult stage, you can prevent serious damage to your plants.

How to Identify Grasshoppers in Your Garden

A few grasshoppers in your garden? No big deal. In fact, they can even be helpful by enriching the soil with their nutrient-packed waste and serving as food for birds and lizards. But when their numbers explode, these hungry insects can become a serious problem, devouring plants faster than they can recover.

• Spotting the Signs of a Grasshopper Infestation

If you’re noticing jagged holes in leaves, gnawed stems, and damaged fruits or vegetables, you may have more than just a few grasshoppers hopping around.

These insects have an insatiable appetite, with adults capable of eating up to 16 times their body weight daily! If left unchecked, they can strip your garden of its lush greenery and leave plants too weak to thrive.

• Where Grasshoppers Thrive

Grasshoppers are found on every continent except Antarctica. They prefer warm, dry environments and tend to gather in areas with plenty of low-growing plants and grasses. You’ll often see them in fields, meadows, grasslands, and even mountains—but your well-tended garden can also be an attractive buffet for them.

• What Grasshoppers Eat

These herbivores primarily munch on grasses and leafy plants, but some species are less picky and will devour a wide range of crops.

While they’re especially drawn to alfalfa, corn, clover, and small grains, they won’t hesitate to feast on vegetables like lettuce, carrots, beans, sweet corn, and onions. Fortunately, some plants—like squash, peas, and tomato leaves—tend to be less appealing to them.

What Attracts Grasshoppers to Your Garden?

Certain conditions make your garden more inviting to grasshoppers:

• Plenty of food: Densely planted crops like corn, alfalfa, and clover can act as a magnet for them.
• Hiding spots: Overgrown weeds and thick vegetation provide both food and shelter from predators.
• Few natural enemies: If there aren’t many birds, spiders, or lizards around, grasshoppers will multiply quickly.

Most grasshoppers hatch in spring from eggs laid the previous fall. Weather plays a huge role in their survival—wet springs can wipe out many hatchlings, while dry conditions can limit plant growth, making food scarce.

Young grasshoppers, called nymphs, stick close to their hatching site as long as food is available. Once they mature and develop wings, they can travel miles in search of fresh plants to devour.

• Where Are Grasshoppers Most Problematic?

While they’re common throughout the U.S., the central states—from Montana and Minnesota down to Texas and New Mexico—tend to experience the worst infestations. In some regions, these pests start feeding in early summer and continue their damage well into fall, with their numbers peaking just before the first hard frost.

How to Get Rid of Grasshoppers

Unfortunately, no single solution will completely wipe Grasshoppers out. That’s why the best approach is a combination of methods, blending environmental tactics, organic solutions, and natural predators to keep them in check.

Think of it as a layered defense system—if one method doesn’t fully work, the others will help fill in the gaps. During peak grasshopper seasons, when their populations explode, gardens are especially vulnerable.

While it’s tough to prevent them entirely, you can make your yard less inviting by avoiding plants they love, attracting their natural enemies, and using eco-friendly deterrents. A little strategic planning goes a long way in protecting your garden from a full-blown invasion!

Keeping Grasshoppers Out of Your Garden Naturally

If you’re dealing with grasshoppers munching on your plants, the best approach is to make your garden less inviting to them—or give them a better place to go! Here’s how you can naturally keep these pests away without harsh chemicals.

1. Grow Plants That Grasshoppers Dislike

One simple way to deter grasshoppers is by planting flowers and vegetables they tend to avoid. Mixing these into your garden layout can help protect your more vulnerable plants.

Flowers That Repel Grasshoppers:

• Dianthus
• Lilac
• Forsythia
• Crepe myrtle
• Moss rose
• Verbena
• Salvia
• Sage
• Lantana
• Juniper
• Artemisia
• Jasmine

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Vegetables Grasshoppers Steer Clear Of:

• Squash
• Tomatoes
• Peas

Not only do these veggies help keep grasshoppers at bay, but they’re also delicious and useful in the kitchen—so you’re not wasting space on plants you won’t use!

2. Disrupt Their Breeding Cycle

Grasshoppers lay their eggs in the soil in late summer, which hatch in the spring. Breaking this cycle is key to controlling their population.

• Till your garden in mid-to-late summer to disrupt areas where eggs are laid.
• Turn the soil again in late fall and early spring to destroy any remaining eggs before they hatch.

3. Keep Weeds in Check

Grasshopper nymphs feed on weeds before moving on to your garden. Keeping non-garden areas weed-free reduces their food source, making your yard less appealing for them.

4. Protect Vulnerable Plants

If you have plants that grasshoppers seem to love, take extra measures to shield them:

• Use cheesecloth or crop covers to block access to your most susceptible plants.
• Floating row covers are another excellent barrier. These lightweight fabric covers allow sunlight and air to pass through while keeping insects out. Just be sure plants aren’t touching the fabric, as grasshoppers can still nibble through it.
• Apply insecticides to covers if necessary to increase their effectiveness.
• If your plants need pollination, consider hand-pollinating while they’re covered.

5. Create a Grasshopper-Friendly Zone (Away From Your Garden)

Since grasshoppers prefer tall grass, you can use this to your advantage. Plant a patch of tall grass at the edge of your property to lure them away from your garden. This way, they settle where they feel safe—without feasting on your vegetables.

6. Spring Rototilling: A Simple Yet Effective Strategy

Take advantage of the grasshopper life cycle by rototilling your soil in early spring. Since their eggs overwinter in the ground, disturbing the soil before they hatch can significantly cut down their numbers before they even emerge.

Animals That Help Keep Grasshoppers in Check

If you’re lucky enough to have animals roaming your garden, they can do more than just add charm to your outdoor space—they can also help keep pesky insects like grasshoppers under control! Here’s how some natural predators can work in your favor.

• Chickens, Guinea Hens, and Ducks: Feathered Pest Exterminators

Believe it or not, chickens, guinea hens, and even ducks are fantastic at keeping grasshoppers in check. Despite what grocery stores might suggest, chickens aren’t just grain-eaters—they’re omnivores that love feasting on bugs!

Bringing a few of these birds into your garden not only helps with pest control but also rewards you with fresh, nutrient-rich eggs. The key is managing them wisely—while they’re great at hunting insects, they might also take a liking to your plants. A simple solution? Give them designated foraging time and keep them penned when they’re not on bug patrol.

If your setup allows, having just a couple of free-ranging chickens can make a huge dent in the grasshopper population. Ducks and geese also pull their weight when it comes to pest control, making them great additions to a garden-friendly flock.

• Wild Birds: Inviting Natural Grasshopper Predators

Local bird species can also help tackle grasshopper problems. During the warmer months, encourage wild birds to visit your garden by providing perches, trellises, or other structures where they can rest and scan for prey.

Certain birds, like kestrels and larks, have a particular taste for grasshoppers. To make your garden a welcoming hunting ground, consider adding a water source, nesting areas, and a mix of native trees and shrubs. The more inviting your space, the more these feathered friends will stick around.

• Boosting Beneficial Wildlife for Long-Term Control

Beyond birds, several other creatures happily snack on grasshoppers. Praying mantises, small snakes, and toads all play a role in keeping insect populations in check. If you want to create a more balanced ecosystem in your garden, try planting flowers like marigolds, calendula, sunflowers, asters, alyssum, or dill to attract insect predators like robber flies.

Spiders, toads, and other natural hunters will also do their part to keep grasshopper numbers down. By making small adjustments to your garden, you can encourage these beneficial creatures to stick around, providing you with a natural and sustainable way to manage pests—no chemicals required!

Organic solutions

From homemade sprays to natural deterrents, here are some effective, eco-friendly ways to protect your garden without resorting to harsh chemicals.

• Garlic Spray: A Strong Scent That Repels

Grasshoppers can’t stand the smell or taste of garlic, making it a powerful natural deterrent. You can easily make your own garlic spray at home. Simply blend two cups of garlic with 10 cups of water, bring it to a boil, and let it sit overnight.

The next day, dilute the mixture by adding three parts water to one part garlic concentrate, pour it into a spray bottle, and mist it over vulnerable plants. If you prefer a ready-made option, commercial garlic sprays are also available and work just as well.

• Hot Pepper Wax: Spice Things Up

Another great way to make your plants unappetizing to grasshoppers is by using a hot pepper wax spray. The active ingredient, cayenne pepper, creates an unpleasant taste that discourages pests from feasting on your garden. Apply it directly to the leaves, focusing on plants that grasshoppers tend to target the most.

• Neem Oil: A Multi-Purpose Solution

Neem oil is widely used as both a pesticide and a fungicide. While some gardeners swear by it for grasshopper control, others prefer alternative methods. Either way, neem oil not only repels grasshoppers but also disrupts their ability to lay eggs, breaking their life cycle and reducing future infestations.

• Nolo Bait: A Long-Term Strategy

Nolo Bait is an organic product that contains Nosema locustae, a naturally occurring microorganism that infects and gradually eliminates grasshoppers.

Best applied when the insects are still young nymphs, this bait spreads as grasshoppers consume infected individuals, passing the disease through the population. For best results, apply over large areas and reapply after rain.

• Kaolin Clay: A Protective Barrier

Kaolin clay is a newer, innovative approach to pest control. When mixed with water and a small amount of soap, it forms a thin film over plant leaves, discouraging grasshoppers from feeding. While some gardeners dislike the powdery residue, it’s a small trade-off for effective protection. Just be sure to wash your produce thoroughly before consuming.

• Diatomaceous Earth: A Natural Insect Killer

Diatomaceous earth is made from fossilized algae and is a go-to solution for many gardeners battling pests. This fine powder dehydrates soft-bodied insects like grasshoppers upon contact, ultimately leading to their demise.

You can dust it over affected plants or mix it with water for easier application. Be sure to wear protective gear when handling it, as inhaling the particles can be harmful.

• Pesticidal Soaps: Fast-Acting Defense

Organic pesticidal soaps can be an effective way to eliminate grasshoppers on contact. These soaps contain fatty acids that break down the insect’s outer shell, causing dehydration and death.

However, be cautious when using them—some formulations can harm plants, so always check labels and test a small area before widespread application.

• Additional Organic Controls

Other natural deterrents include beneficial fungi like Nosema locustae and Beauveria bassiana, both of which disrupt grasshopper digestion. Neem oil’s active ingredient, azadirachtin, also helps control their populations.

If you’re committed to organic gardening, avoid pyrethroids—synthetic chemicals added to natural pyrethrins that make them non-organic.

Products containing Nosema locustae, a protozoan that infects and kills grasshoppers, can provide partial control—though results vary based on conditions like temperature and grasshopper size. Beauveria bassiana, a fungal pathogen, is another option, though it tends to work best in cooler, humid environments and may be less effective in hot, dry weather.

When to Consider Chemical Control

Chemical pesticides and baits can help, but they need to be used correctly for the best results. Timing is everything—grasshoppers are easiest to manage when they’re young and still concentrated in their egg-laying areas. The older and more mobile they get, the harder they are to control.

If you decide to use insecticides, carbaryl is one of the most effective options, but it comes with a downside—it’s toxic to beneficial insects, too. Baits containing carbaryl are a safer bet than sprays when it comes to protecting pollinators like bees, but even these should be used carefully and only where grasshoppers are actively feeding.

For the best results, apply insecticides in the spring or early summer, right when the eggs start hatching. Adding a bit of canola oil to the spray can make treated plants more appealing to grasshoppers, increasing the effectiveness.

But keep in mind—no pesticide is a foolproof solution. Grasshoppers are constantly on the move, meaning they can cause damage before the insecticide takes effect and new ones can quickly replace the ones you eliminate.

When treating an infestation, focus on targeting hatching sites in nearby areas. If you’re in a suburban neighborhood, working with your neighbors on a larger control strategy can be even more effective.

Spot treatments in breeding zones, especially when grasshoppers are still in their second or third growth stage (under half an inch long), provide the best control.

Insecticides tend to work better on smaller grasshoppers since they require a lower dose to be effective. But keep in mind that these chemicals break down quickly in heat and sunlight, often lasting only about 24 hours during peak summer months.

As the season progresses, grasshoppers grow larger, eat more, and move faster, which means you may need to reapply treatments more frequently to maintain protection.

Fascinating and Unusual Grasshoppers You Might Encounter

Not all grasshoppers are created equal! Some stand out due to their striking colors, unique behaviors, or impressive size. Unlike the types that wreak havoc on gardens and crops, these fascinating species tend to keep to themselves, feeding on plants that aren’t economically significant.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most intriguing grasshoppers you might come across.

• Speckledwinged Grasshopper (Arphia conspersa)

One of the few grasshoppers you might spot on a warm winter or early spring day, the speckledwinged grasshopper spends the colder months as a nymph before maturing into an adult. By mid to late summer, their eggs hatch, starting the cycle again.

Known for their colorful hindwings, which may have a yellow or reddish tint, they make a distinct crackling sound when they take flight. These grasshoppers stick to a diet of grasses and sedges, so they won’t be raiding your garden.

• Plains Lubber (Homesteader) (Brachystola magna)

This giant of the grasshopper world can weigh over 3 to 4 grams! With its stubby wings, the plains lubber can’t fly, but you’ll often see it leisurely hopping across rural roads in midsummer, especially in eastern Colorado.

Its vibrant mix of green, pink, and brown makes it one of the more colorful species. Though it feeds on a variety of plants, it’s most commonly found munching on sunflowers.

• Carolina Grasshopper (Dissosteira carolina)

If you’ve ever walked across a patch of bare ground and startled a grasshopper into flight, it was likely a Carolina grasshopper. Recognizable by its dark hindwings edged with a lighter band, it hovers momentarily in the air while producing a faint buzzing sound.

Its coloring varies from light grayish-yellow to reddish-brown, blending perfectly with its surroundings. While it eats a variety of plants, it never becomes abundant enough to cause any real damage.

• Barber Pole Grasshopper (Dactylotum bicolor)

Arguably the most eye-catching grasshopper around, this species flaunts bold markings in red-orange, black, and yellow. Found primarily in the eastern plains, adults make their appearance in late summer. Although they feed on broadleaf plants, they tend to favor those with little agricultural value, making them more of a curiosity than a concern.

• Greenstreaked Grasshopper (Snakeweed Grasshopper) (Hesperotettix viridis)

This bright green beauty is widespread but most commonly found on the eastern plains. Unlike some of its relatives, the greenstreaked grasshopper has a very particular diet, preferring rangeland weeds like snakeweed and ragweed. While that might not sound appealing to us, it helps keep some invasive plants in check.

• Red Shanks (Xanthippus corallipes)

Active earlier in the year than most other species, the red shanks grasshopper blends in with its environment thanks to a mottled, earth-toned body. But when it takes flight, its vibrant pink, orange, or yellow hindwings reveal a hidden splash of color. A true grass-eater, this species thrives in dry prairie landscapes.

• Spotted Bird Grasshopper (Lined Bird Grasshopper) (Schistocerca alutacea)

One of the longest grasshoppers, reaching about two inches, this species is a strong flyer. Depending on where you find it, it may have slightly different habits.

The lined bird subspecies (S. a. shoshone) prefers riverbanks and moist ravines, feeding on shrubs, while the Great Plains/sandhills subspecies (S. a. lineata) lives in dry, shrubby areas among large weeds. Though they’re present in late summer and early fall, they never appear in overwhelming numbers.

• Mormon Cricket (Anabrus simplex)

Despite its name, this insect isn’t actually a cricket or a true grasshopper—it’s a longhorned grasshopper, more closely related to katydids. Found in the sagebrush and grasslands of the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin, between 6,500 and 11,000 feet in elevation, Mormon crickets are known for their massive migrations.

When they move in large swarms, they can devour huge amounts of vegetation. Though they prefer broadleaf plants, they’ll also snack on grasses and crop plants when food is scarce.

Grasshopper FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

• Are Grasshoppers and Locusts the Same Thing?

Not quite! While all locusts are technically grasshoppers, not every grasshopper qualifies as a locust. The key difference lies in their behavior.

Grasshoppers prefer to live solitary lives, while locusts have a swarming instinct, meaning they gather in large groups and travel together—often causing major agricultural damage. So, while they may look similar, their habits set them apart.

• Can You Eat Grasshoppers?

Absolutely! Grasshoppers are a popular snack in various parts of the world, including Mexico, Africa, and Asia. Known as “chapulines” in Mexico, these crunchy critters are packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber. They’re often toasted, spiced, and enjoyed like chips. Just be sure to identify the right species—some brightly colored ones can be toxic!

• Do Grasshoppers Spit?

Yes, but not in the way you might think. When threatened, grasshoppers release a brownish liquid, often called “tobacco juice.” This is a mix of plant juices and digestive enzymes that they regurgitate as a defense mechanism. This infamous brown liquid is just a defensive regurgitation.

While it looks unpleasant and can be tough to wash off, it’s completely harmless. It won’t harm you, but it can leave a stubborn stain! Think of it as the grasshopper’s way of saying, “Back off!”

• Do Grasshoppers Bite or Sting?

Grasshoppers aren’t aggressive biters, but if they feel cornered, they might give you a small nip. Their powerful jaws can pinch, but they don’t carry venom, so there’s no real danger.

If you do get a bite, simply clean the area and apply calamine lotion if it itches. Sometimes, people mistake the prickly sensation from a grasshopper’s spiky hind legs for a bite—don’t worry, that’s harmless too!

• How Can I Tell Grasshoppers and Beetles Apart?

Both insects love to feast on plants, but they leave different kinds of damage. Grasshoppers chew irregular holes in leaves, starting their feast in spring when they’re still young.

Beetles, on the other hand, tend to skeletonize leaves, eating everything except the veins. They usually begin their damage later in the summer as adults. Another clue? Beetles often hang around on plants boldly, while grasshoppers are skittish and jump away when approached.

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• Help! Grasshoppers Are Ruining My Strawberry Plants. What Can I Do?

If these hungry hoppers are targeting your strawberry plants, focus on safe, non-toxic control methods—especially since you’ll be eating the fruit! Many strawberry farmers swear by garlic spray or hot pepper wax spray, both of which deter grasshoppers without harming the plants.

While grasshoppers don’t typically munch on the berries themselves, they can severely damage the leaves, which can reduce your overall harvest. Taking preventive action early will help keep your strawberry patch thriving!