This may seem a silly question, but does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with thousands (hundreds of thousands is more likely - lol) of grasshoppers? Although we currently are in So Cal, my husband and I have property in central TX (north of Lampasas, west of Gatesville) that I would like to start planting next spring (if the rains return). However, there are thousands of grasshoppers and other little critters everywhere (I keep thinking of the plague of locust). Although we have hoppers where we currently live, I have not had to deal with this heavy of an infestation . I was going to start using Semaspore but was wondering what everyone else does to control the insects?

Our property is fairly large and the terrain is variable so any large-scale solutions, both short-term (maybe floating row covers for the smallest areas?) and long-term would be most appreciated.

I'm not sure what crops you plan to plant, but I think this link might be helpful if you scroll down to whatever you're going to plant for information. We've had a fairly mild winter, so everything that wiggles, stings, bites, and eats is going to be multiplying at a record rate.

https://insects.tamu.edu/exten...

Thank you - that's very useful information. As this is old ranch land that hasn't been touched in 10 years+, we have to start over. We have 1/2 acre that is deer fenced for a vege/fruit garden but needs to be planted (soil improvement, first). Also, no landscaping is left around the buildings so that needs to be done as well as planting tress, etc., in the belt areas. So... a lot of work and varying plants and crops. About the only thing that is in relatively good shape is the main pasture.

Unfortunately, we cannot just mow or plow it all as there is too much land for that to be feasible and there are several steep drop offs that, although brushy, really can't be cleared (great breeding grounds). For now, I guess we will start with Semaspore (long-term help) and keep researching.

I appreciate the link - it gives me a good starting point for more research. I am curious, though, how does everyone else deal with these?

You can also contact the Extension ofc. in your Texas county. They will have the best information for that particular area. At the top of this page, there's a search box on the right side. Type in grasshoppers and you will get a list of threads where grasshoppers are mentioned. there may be some good information there also. I had posted to one thread about "attracting beneficial birds" that an rancher in the hill country swears by flour! He said that when you see the tiny white nymphs fly up when you're walking through the grass or field in early spring, it's time to spread flour. You can read it in that thread.

I don't know what I was thinking this morning. I searched the Texas forum for grasshopper threads before posting but forgot to search site-wide! Thank you so much for responding - I just have visions of finally getting everything planted only to find "skeletons" the next morning!

We may have another dry summer, unfortunately.

That's crushing. It is so sad to see the old oaks dying. Part of our land is bordered by a river that has been known to crest its 25-30' walls and flood the lower pasture. Nowadays, it is down to a 12-18" wide 4-6" deep trickle in areas - the vast majority of it is completely dried up.

We have a lake house on Lake LBJ, the constant level lake. We're paying to pump water from the lake for the yard , plus the village water....and we're hardly up there to even turn on the water. Water is becoming gold!

OldGardener, we're about to have a heck of a thunder and hail storm, followed by a cold front over here in Central Texas. It may get rid of all your grasshoppers. Of course, it may also blow them over to the next county!

Let's hope it knocks down their population!!