Why are there so many grasshoppers?

(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — Springing from the grasses, leaping from the leaves, and coating the sidewalks and streets, those pesky little critters that seem to invade our lawns and gardens this time each year, are back with a vengeance in Southern Colorado.

“We are seeing very high numbers of grasshoppers this year,” said Lisa Mason, Horticulture Specialist and Entomologist for Colorado State University Extension in Arapahoe County.

Mason said one of the reasons we’re likely seeing such high numbers is because of our recent weather patterns. “We had a very warm spring, we’ve had a very hot, early summer; June was very hot, and that is the perfect conditions for grasshoppers,” said Mason.

Mason added that grasshoppers also had a good year in 2023 , with a fairly warm winter and rainy spring. “…likely, lots of their eggs were able to survive through this year which is why we are seeing high numbers.”

Mason said it’s not just Southern Colorado being hit with an influx of the high-flying insects, as the rest of the state is also seeing quite a jump in numbers, too.

“The populations can be pretty localized all over Colorado and it really depends on how many eggs are laid in that area and how many eggs are able to survive,” said Mason.

So where do grasshoppers thrive?

“Grasshopper eggs do the best in untilled or unmowed areas and undisturbed lands,” said Mason, “and so, if there are large areas of land like that, it is perfect for grasshoppers, and could potentially mean a high survival rate.”

According to Mason, eggs normally hatch in the spring and grasshoppers have a one-year life cycle. “They go through five different nymph stages before they become an adult and can really move around, and then, once fall arrives, those females are going to lay their eggs in the soil and the eggs will survive the winter and hatch the following year,” explained Mason.

With the increase in grasshoppers again this year, many homeowners are asking what can be done to prevent even more from springing into their neighborhoods.

“So the challenge with grasshoppers is, the most effective time to control them is when they are in their nymph stages before they are super mobile, and unfortunately for this season, that has passed,” said Mason.

There are some things, however, Mason said people can do this fall to prepare for next year.

“If land owners can survey their lands and look for those undisturbed, untitled areas for potentially large swaths of grasshopper eggs in those soils, they can till those areas, or, if they don’t till them, they will know where to prioritize treatment next spring before grasshoppers become a major problem,” Mason explained.

For this year, Mason said, there are insecticide options available, but she warned to read those labels very carefully.

“Not all insecticides are labeled for grasshoppers and you don’t want to apply something that is not going to directly control them,” Mason said. “You also want to read the label carefully because if you’re applying a product to your vegetable garden, you want to make sure that it’s safe to apply to your vegetable garden.”

While grasshoppers primarily feed on grasses or sedges, many choose garden or landscape plants for their meals of choice.

“Among vegetable crops, certain plants are favored, such as lettuce, carrots, beans, sweet corn, and onions,” according to an article by CSU Extension . “Squash, peas, and tomatoes (leaves, not fruit) are among the plants that tend to be avoided.”

While gardens may not reap the benefits from them, according to Mason, and from an ecosystem perspective, grasshoppers are good to have around because they serve as food for a wide variety of other organisms, like bids, hawks, and other insects like beetles or praying mantises.

“Now, with high populations like this, the predators can’t keep up with the numbers,” said Mason, who said the insects will be around until colder temperatures move into Colorado.

“If we have a warm fall, we could still have a few more months, [but] if we end up with cold temperatures early on in the season, it might be shorter,” said Mason.

For questions or more information on grasshopper control, Mason said people should reach out to their local extension office, which can be found at the link at the top of this article.

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