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Grasshoppers.

During the dog days of summer, the distinctive chirping of grasshoppers is a common soundtrack. While generally harmless, these hungry herbivores can damage gardens and crops if left unchecked. Learn how to get rid of grasshoppers and tips to prevent them from becoming a nuisance around your home from Terminix Triad, your local pest control specialists.

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Identifying grasshoppers.

Grasshoppers are common in North Carolina and are masters at the art of camouflage, blending into their grassy habitat with colors that range from green to brown. While most grasshoppers are around 1 inch in length, some species measure up to 4 inches in size. Grasshoppers have two pairs of wings and long back legs they use for jumping. The distinctive sound they make happens when they rub their hind legs on their wings.
North Carolina is home to nearly 80 different species of grasshoppers. These jumping specialists typically eat grass, plants and flowers, helping prevent plant overgrowth and fertilizing the soil. But certain species can cause major damage. When grasshoppers swarm, they can devastate farmland and spell trouble for your backyard.

Grasshopper life cycle.

Female grasshoppers lay their eggs in late summer to early fall in undisturbed soil, such as:

  • Yards
  • Fields
  • Gardens
  • Along fence lines 

The eggs remain underground until the ground warms and soil moisture increases in late spring, hatching into nymphs that resemble tiny adult grasshoppers. They reach adulthood in mid-summer after molting five to six times to continue the cycle.

Signs of a grasshopper problem.

During the summer months, be on the lookout for signs you may have a grasshopper problem:

  • Chewed grass, flowers or vegetable plants
  • Brown or dying patches in your lawn
  • Grasshoppers flying or jumping when you walk through the lawn

Grasshoppers in the house.

Encountering a grasshopper inside your home is not a cause for alarm, but it can be annoying. Drought, rain and extreme temperatures may prompt these critters to seek shelter indoors. Grasshoppers may enter homes accidentally through access points such as cracks, vents and open doors.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of a grasshopper that’s made its way inside, simply guide it back outdoors with a broom.

DIY grasshopper prevention tips.

Natural repellents, including garlic or neem, can keep grasshoppers at bay.

One of the easiest ways to eliminate grasshoppers naturally is to stay on top of lawn maintenance.

  1. Keep grass trimmed short. Grasshoppers prefer tall, weedy grass.
  2. Remove weeds and brush piles, especially along fence lines and around garden edges.
  3. Till the soil in fall and spring to expose eggs to predators and the elements.

Keep grasshoppers from taking over.

Grasshoppers are turf and ornamental pests. Grasshoppers might be small, but they can munch through plants at an impressive pace - up to 50% of their body weight in a single day. The more you know about common North Carolina pests, the better you will be at protecting your living spaces. Keeping your eyes open for pests around your structures is always the best way to prevent pests from getting out of hand.

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