We noticed this for the first time today. All our other roses are completely unaffected.





I'm not sure what the right strategy is on dealing with this. Any thoughts?

Are you an organic gardener or are you open to using pesticides? It appears that last year was a record year for grasshoppers in Texas - http://www.mcclatchydc.com/201... - and it seems that this year may not be much better.

I would tend to try to isolate these guys asap - perhaps with a geotex/flooating row cover - and treat with a pesticide if you are not opposed to their use. Tamu has a good article that details the options here: http://citybugs.tamu.edu/facts...

I wish I could be more help -I hope others will jump in with suggestions soon.

Thanks for those links, I'll read them this afternoon.

We have never used pesticides but Trish is always happy to spray with her horrible concoction which includes hot peppers, neem oil, and insecticidal soap. We're thinking of attacking these grasshoppers with that.

I keep organic, too (I am going to start annual applications of semaspore on our Texas property as a first-line defense). I think I would try to "tent" these grasshoppers, though, to keep them from branching out to the rest of the garden.

We have floating row covers that will work well for that, I think.

Please let us know how it goes.

Wow, that is a lot of grasshoppers. Hope they get them all.

I ran across this article and thought you might want to check it out. Below is an excerpt followed by the link.

A third or better alternative suggested by Trisha Shirey, grounds manager At Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas, is to get rid of grasshoppers the eco-friendly way or stop them from eating your plants by using ordinary all-purpose flour.

Yes, ordinary all-purpose flour. When grasshoppers (or any other chewing insects such as blister beetles) feed on foliage that have been dusted with flour, their mouths get all gummed up, and the grasshopper cannot eat any more. Furthermore, when they swallow a whole lot of this flour, they get sick and stop eating all together.

(NOTE: You must be careful, though. To get rid of grasshoppers the eco-friendly, use ONLY the old-fashion all-purpose type of flour because the self-rising flour has salts in it. These salts may ruin your plants, and salt is not good for the soil.)

http://pestcontroloptions.com/...

Great information Moonhowl. We don't seem to have problems with grasshoppers here, but I did find a young one in one of my semp beds the other day.

I thought it was an easy test and if it really works, a cheap safe remedy to use around children and pets. Thanks.

I agree. And I will give it a try if the grasshoppers become a problem this year. Thank you.

You are most welcome.

Trish has used flour with mixed results. I'll pass this info along to her, though. I doubt she's tried it against grasshoppers. Thanks!

Most welcome...let us know how it works should she try it.