Trying to get rid of grasshoppers

[kubota4me]

I'm organic, so I don't want to spray nasty chemicals. What natural homemade concoction can I spray on a large garden 140' x 110' that will set the grasshoppers back? I can mix in my tractor sprayer(40 gallons) and spray it as long as it is safe for me and veggies. Chickens are out of the question so please don't recommend that. Thanks much for your advice!

 

[randy41]

i think pyganic works on everything. not natural and homemade however and will kill beneficials as well. not cheap either but a little goes a long way.

 

[jimpen]

A google brought up a Mother Earth article with suggestions.

 

[dave1949]

The Eastern Phoebe is death on bugs while nesting, and they often have multiple broods in one season. They love to nest in man-made structures, like under the eaves of a garage or shed if you provide a sheltered nest platform. Likely not a total solution, but it can't hurt. They catch bugs from dawn to dusk. They like a fence or other open perch to hawk from.

Eastern Phoebe, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

 

[oosik]

You need a flock of twenty or so wild quail. They have very successfully kept my grasshopper hoard a bay.

 

[kubota4me]

Thanks for your replies.

 

[RichZ]

I have free range chickens and guinea fowl on my farm. They LOVE grasshoppers.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I love to watch the life/death battle between grasshoppers and chickens. It seems the chickens can only see the grasshoppers when they move. The grasshoppers have about three good bursts of flight in them then they freeze when the chicken gets close. If the grasshopper doesn't panic and try to move away the chicken will never see it. But if the grasshopper blinks, it's uncooked toast.

 

[SPIKER]

I like to have a good number of Praying Mantis's (chickens like them more than grass hoppers tho...) several GOOD bugs can be bought and placed but need to PLAN for them in early spring and or watch the fields and snag some wild nests to transplant into garden come spring.

The mantis are pretty smart I mow around them & they get out of way when you come by they watch you... If one manages to NOT get out of way fast enough I will often catch & transplant them to garden... Just watch how many in an area the Female's have a taste for Male Mantis...



Mark

 

[roadhunter]

Guineas will take care of your problem in no time.