Grasshoppers might seem harmless hopping through the yard, but give them a few days and they’ll chew through leaves, flowers, vegetables, and even ornamental grass. If you’re seeing ragged edges on your plants or sudden bare spots in your lawn, you’re likely dealing with more than a stray hopper or two. Here’s how to tackle them head-on, without wasting time or relying on short-term fixes.
Understand the Grasshopper’s Lifecycle Before You Act
Why Timing Matters More Than You Think
Most grasshoppers hatch in early summer from eggs laid the previous fall. These nymphs don’t have wings yet and are much easier to control than the hardened adults that show up later in the season. If you want results that last, hit them during the nymph stage, usually between May and July depending on your region.
In the Southeast, lubber grasshoppers start appearing as early as late April. In the Midwest, you may not see full populations until mid-June. Either way, the earlier you get in front of them, the fewer you’ll have hopping around later.
Start by Making Your Yard Less Welcoming
Clean Up Egg Zones and Nymph Hotspots
Grasshoppers lay eggs in undisturbed soil, often along fence lines, under decks, and in overgrown corners. Tilling garden beds and bare spots in early spring exposes those eggs to predators and weather damage. If you skip this step, you’re giving the next generation a head start.
Remove tall grass, brush piles, and weedy patches, especially near vegetable beds or flower borders. The goal is to eliminate their hiding spots and feeding stations before they settle in.
Pro Tip: Grasshoppers prefer weedy, overgrown areas with full sun. Keeping lawn height between 2.5–3.5 inches and trimming fence lines cuts down their preferred habitat.
Target Them When They’re Young and Vulnerable
Use Sprays and Baits Early, Not Late
Grasshopper control sprays like carbaryl, permethrin, or bifenthrin work best when the insects are young. Adults are more resistant and tend to move around too much for localized treatment to work well. Apply insecticides in the early morning or late evening when grasshoppers are less active and temperatures are cooler.
If you’re dealing with a lubber grasshopper infestation in the Southeast, chemical sprays often won’t do much once they’ve matured. These pests grow up to 3 inches long and develop chemical defenses as they age. Early physical removal is the only reliable solution.
Reality Check: One adult grasshopper can eat its body weight in plant material daily. Multiply that by 30–40 hoppers, and you’re looking at serious crop damage in under a week.
Support Natural Predators in Your Yard
Turn Your Garden into a Grasshopper Danger Zone
Birds, frogs, robber flies, spiders, and even some beneficial wasps are all enemies of grasshoppers. Creating a yard that welcomes these predators can tip the scales without needing constant spraying.
Install bird feeders near infested zones, but avoid placing them directly over your vegetable garden to prevent bird droppings on edibles. Add shallow water sources like birdbaths or small ponds to draw in frogs and toads. Native flowers, like yarrow, dill, or coneflowers, attract predatory insects that hunt grasshopper nymphs.
Use Garlic or Vinegar Sprays as Short-Term Deterrents
What Works and What Doesn’t With Homemade Remedies
Vinegar sprays can help repel grasshoppers, but they won’t eliminate them. Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and apply directly to plants under attack. Just keep in mind: vinegar is acidic and can damage tender leaves if used too often. Garlic oil sprays are gentler and often more effective as a longer-lasting deterrent.
You’ll need to reapply after heavy rains or irrigation. These methods work best when paired with other strategies like habitat cleanup and early intervention.
Note: Garlic-based deterrents may also discourage beneficial pollinators, so avoid spraying flowering plants during bloom.
Physical Barriers Work Best for Vegetable Beds
Protect the Plants You Can’t Afford to Lose
If grasshoppers are tearing up your lettuce, beans, or herbs, don’t wait for sprays to kick in, cover them. Use lightweight floating row covers or fine-mesh netting, but seal the edges tight. Grasshoppers can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps or sneak in from underneath if covers aren’t anchored.
Netting is especially useful in areas with recurring lubber infestations, where manual removal is the only reliable solution. For small gardens, this approach limits damage and avoids chemical use entirely.
Lubber Grasshoppers Require Aggressive Action
Identify, Isolate, and Eliminate Them Fast
If you’re dealing with lubber grasshoppers, common in the Southeast, you’ll recognize them by their massive size, black or orange coloration, and sluggish movement. Unlike regular grasshoppers, lubbers don’t fly. They crawl, climb, and eat… a lot.
Chemical sprays rarely work once lubbers mature. Manual removal, either by gloved hand or with a shovel, is the most effective solution. Drop them into a bucket of soapy water or crush them on sight. It’s crude, but necessary.
Warning: Lubbers secrete a foul-tasting foam when threatened. Keep kids and pets away from them, and always wear gloves when handling.
When to Do What: A Seasonal Action Plan
| Season | Actions |
|---|---|
| Early Spring | Till garden beds, remove brush piles, reseed bare spots |
| Late Spring | Begin monitoring for nymphs, apply sprays or baits where needed |
| Summer | Remove adults by hand, deploy physical barriers, attract predators |
| Late Summer | Prepare for next year by mowing, tilling, and limiting egg-laying zones |
FAQs About Grasshopper Control
Can I get rid of grasshoppers with vinegar alone?
No. Vinegar may deter grasshoppers from specific plants temporarily, but it won’t eliminate a large population. It should only be used as part of a broader strategy, especially during early stages of infestation.
What’s the difference between grasshoppers and locusts?
Locusts are simply grasshoppers that swarm under certain environmental conditions. In North America, grasshoppers generally remain solitary, but high populations and dry conditions can trigger swarming behavior in certain species.
Are chickens a good grasshopper control method?
Chickens will eat grasshoppers enthusiastically, but they’ll also peck your plants, scratch up mulch, and create dust baths in flower beds. If you’re running a backyard garden, they may do more harm than good unless closely managed.
Call in Help When Things Get Out of Hand
If you’re still battling grasshoppers after a full season of spraying, trimming, and covering, it might be time to bring in professionals. We know how fast these pests can get ahead of even the best-prepped yard. A fresh set of eyes, and the right timing, can make all the difference.
Stay ahead of the damage and treat problems early next season while they’re still manageable.
