grasshoppers

[BuzzyBee]

Anybody know of a way to control grasshoppers in the garden that won't harm bees? Live in town, so can't use chickens.

Thanks

[Nitro]

Not sure if it harms bees but I know tobacco dust works

[dragonfly]

There's a couple of recipes on the internet for grasshopper bait that has Sevin in it. Sevin does hurt bees (as I'm sure you are aware), but this recipe is for bait that you broadcast on the ground and it works pretty well. The bees aren't affected, because they don't "feed" on substances on the ground. I think it is pretty specific to grasshopper contro because they like to eat the bran. The recipe uses bran (wheat) that you can buy at the feed store, liquid Sevin, molasses, and water. You mix it into a "dough" and spread it in a thin layer on baking pans, sit it outside in the heat to dry, then break it up into small pieces and broadcast it where grasshopper populations are high.

[beyondthesidewalks]

I don't know if you can still get nolo bait. We've used that in the past with some success and I don't think it hurts bees. I believe it renders the grasshoppers sterile.

If you're near a field of row crops or bare soil, give up. There's just about nothing you can do to keep up with them. Grasshoppers require bare soil to lay their eggs. We use birds like chickens, guineas and turkeys to keep the grasshoppers at bay. Unfortunately we have some row crop farmers around us so there is much bare earth with many grasshopper eggs hatching.

[dragonfly]

I tried Nolo Bait for years, and didn't see much for results. You are supposed to use it when grasshoppers are emerging and still very small. It won't hurt, but if you already have a healthy population of hoppers, Nolo will be of little value this season.

[Ardilla]

I dust plants with diatomaceous earth. It will harm bees if they get into it, but I am dusting plants the bees don't have much interest in. The grasshoppers are mostly eating leaves of plants that have alr4eady bloomed are haven't yet bloomed.

[BuzzyBee]

Thanks for the replies,

I thought of getting some praying mantis eggs, but don't know if they would feast on the bees. Wouldn't want to see a bunch waiting on the hive and snatching bees as they come and go :( Anyone know if they like bees? The sevin patties look interesting and I may try that, (found a couple of recipes on the web and a commercial bran type insecticide that I think uses generic sevin) but I'm hoping there is a pesticide free way. I'm about as new to gardening as beekeeping :)

BB

[macro junkie]

yes..mantids eat any insect bees being there most favorite..why do you want to get rid of grasshopper..there lovely critters http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2601627113_7037848615.jpg

[Oldbee]

macro j.-- BuzzyBee is in Kansas, USA. and has a garden with vegetables I presume.

Grasshoppers can multiply [like rabbits , lol.] quite rapidly in population and be a serious detriment to agricultural food crops; even small gardens. Have you never heard of the history of the Mormons in Utah and the "locusts"; a related species?

"there [they're] lovely critters".- macro j. No argument there. I was fascinated by them [4-5 yo.] along a dusty/sandy road on the way to the house my Dad bought when he first,.."started out". I have been reading/learning about them recently because we have "new" field guides for them for our area. Love your photos, by the way!