Are Grasshoppers Good for the Garden: A Closer Look at the Common Jumping Insect

Are grasshoppers good for the garden, or are they a gardener’s arch enemy? 

Some people look back at fond memories of chasing the insect around the backyard when talking about grasshoppers.

Others remember the playful character by Aesop, who frolicked through summer without giving any thought to the rainy days ahead.

Either way, the grasshopper is seen as harmless, maybe even fun to be around.

Now that you are growing your garden, it might be time to revisit this image of the jumping insect.

Below are a few facts about grasshoppers and what they can do to the plants in your yard.

What Are Grasshoppers?

The grasshopper is a plant-eating insect belonging to the order Orthoptera and suborder Caelifera.

Scientists believe that it is among the oldest living group of chewing herbivores that have been around since the Triassic period.

Anatomy

A grasshopper has two long and powerful hind legs, which are excellent for jumping.

In fact, it is known to cover a distance of up to 20 times its size in a single bound.

Aside from its superior leaping ability, two sets of wings allow the insect to take flight.

The rear wings are large, while the front wings are long and slim.

Together, they help the grasshopper fly at speeds of up to eight miles per hour.

Grasshoppers often have green, brown, or black bodies.

Adults normally range from one to seven centimeters in length.

Their eyes are big and are usually green, brown, or gray.

Two short antennas protrude at the front of their heads, helping them sense surrounding objects. 

Habitat

Grasshoppers thrive in warm regions.

Some species live in forests or jungles, but most prefer dry, open habitats with lots of grass and other forms of vegetation.

They often invade farms and gardens, feeding on various plant parts, including flowers, leaves, stems, and even seeds.

Some species are selective about what they eat, sometimes trying a food source first before actually eating it.

Still, they will feed on most plant types if they have to, so if they manage to make their way to your home, your garden could be in trouble.

Are Grasshoppers Good for the Garden?

Grasshoppers are herbivorous insects that consume large amounts of plant matter.

To be more specific, adults can eat up to 16 times their body weight every single day.

It sounds alarming, but considering that they are small insects, this may not amount to much.

So if you are wondering, are grasshoppers good for the garden, the answer depends on the situation. 

One or two grasshoppers jumping around your garden should not be a cause for concern.

They can even help balance the ecosystem in your garden.

They serve as a source of food for birds, lizards, and other small predators that may stumble into your yard.

They can also leave behind rich nutrients for your plants.

The problem is when 10 or more grasshoppers get together in your yard.

A group this big can easily decimate a vegetable garden in a matter of days.

They can eat most of the leaves, stems, flowers, or even fruits. There is almost nothing that they won’t consume. 

What remains of your plants would be too weak to thrive and eventually die out.

If you start seeing ragged holes on the leaves, stems, and other plant parts, be on the lookout for grasshoppers.

What Attracts Grasshoppers To a Garden?

If you have a garden at home, there is a good chance that you will attract grasshoppers and other insects.

The question is, what is it about a garden that makes it irresistible to these jumping insects?

Below are some of the most common answers.

The Right Type of Plants

Grasshoppers consume various plants, but they are especially drawn to corn, small grains, alfalfa, grasses, cotton, and rice.

They are also known to eat carrots, beans, lettuce, and onions.

However, if many grasshoppers are in the area, they are likely to eat even plant types that they don’t prefer.

Lush Vegetation That Provides Cover and Protection

Aside from places with the right types of plants, grasshoppers like to stay in an area with lush vegetation.

It provides them with many good hiding spots from predators.

It also gives them a safe place where they can lay their eggs in peace.

Lack of Natural Predators

The final feature that attracts grasshoppers to gardens is the lack of predators.

They are drawn to places where they are free to move without worrying about other animals feeding on them.

Some of the common predators that these jumping insects steer clear of are birds, spiders, and lizards.

In some cases, house pets like cats can also drive them away.

How To Get Rid of the Grasshoppers in Your Garden

If you already see several of these uninvited guests in your garden, don’t worry.

There are many things that you can do to drive them out.

Natural Pest Control Method

First, you can encourage some of the natural predators to stand guard in your yard.

Try to attract birds by installing a few bird feeders in your garden.

You can even take this opportunity to spruce up the area by installing decorative ones.

If you have the space, you can make a small pond that some frogs or toads can call home.

These amphibians can feast on the insects that have overrun your garden, including grasshoppers.

There are other similar steps that you can take, but the key is to increase your natural pest control capability.

Set Up Some Traps

If you notice that some insects are targeting specific plants, try dusting their leaves with all-purpose flour.

The flour will stick to the mouths of the grasshoppers and make it harder for them to feed.

You could also try setting up a molasses trap in a bowl.

It is an easy-to-make blend consisting of nine parts water and one part molasses.

The sugar in the mixture will attract the grasshoppers, and the water will trap them. 

Use an Insecticide

If all else fails, it’s time to turn to an insecticide. As much as possible, use something organic, like neem oil.

Other alternatives are hot pepper wax, Nolo Bait, diatomaceous spray, and some pesticidal soaps.  

Apply it on the plants in your garden or spray directly on the nymphs if you see them.

If you don’t like the idea of using an insecticide, try a biological pesticide or a control agent like Nosema locustae.

Nosema locustae is a microsporidium fungus that can kill over 90 species of grasshoppers and locusts.

It is also lethal to some species of crickets.

An excellent alternative to this is the Beauveria bassiana, a fungus that can disrupt the grasshopper’s digestive system. 

How To Keep Grasshoppers Out of Your Garden

Your job is not done once you have driven the grasshoppers away from your yard.

As long as there are plants in your garden, they will have a reason to return.

Fortunately, there are also several ways to discourage grasshoppers from targeting your garden again.

Below are a few of them.

Till the Soil Twice a Year

Female grasshoppers often lay eggs as summer draws to an end.

These eggs lie dormant in the soil through winter and hatch when spring comes.

To disrupt the life cycle of these insects, till the soil twice a year.

You can do the first one during the fall to take care of the recently laid eggs.

Till your garden soil again before spring to destroy any remaining eggs that are about to hatch.

By removing the eggs, not only will you prevent the infestation of new grasshoppers, but you discourage others from overrunning your garden.

Cover Plants Susceptible To Grasshoppers

Protect plants that grasshoppers find attractive by covering them with cheesecloth or crop covers.

This method is very effective in preventing jumping insects from feeding on some of your plants.

However, you would need to employ other methods if you want more comprehensive protection for your garden.

Eliminate the Weeds in Your Garden

As much as possible, remove all weeds in your garden, even in areas with no plants.

Doing this will deprive newly hatched nymphs of their main food source, discouraging the propagation of the grasshopper population.

Prune Your Plants Regularly

Reduce the number of possible hiding spots for grasshoppers by pruning your plants regularly.

In doing so, you will expose the insects to natural predators like birds and frogs.

This will also make it easier to spot grasshoppers so you can take the necessary actions more promptly.

Use Garlic Spray

To help keep grasshoppers out of your garden, spray it with a strong-smelling solution like garlic spray. 

Boil two cups of garlic with 10 cups of water and let the mixture sit overnight.

Dilute the mixture before using it by adding one part to three parts of water.

Apply it on vulnerable plants to keep the grasshoppers away.

Protect Your Precious Garden Effectively

One or two grasshoppers in your garden shouldn’t be a problem, but if there are ten or more of them jumping around, it’s time to take action.

There are many ways to drive them out, keep them away, and protect the garden you have worked hard to cultivate.