Landowners Asked to be Alert for Grasshoppers

Grasshopper season is coming up quickly! Sheridan County Weed and Pest Control District, (SCWP) is asking landowners to be on the lookout for grasshopper densities in Sheridan County. According to Jane Sylvestre Program Support Specialist, SCWP personnel have already seen some emergence of native species. The most damaging pest species overwinter as eggs in the soil and emerge mid-May through June.

Most species go through 5 nymphal instars (life stages) over a 30-day period. In order for SCWP to successfully treat a grasshopper infestation, treatments need to be applied between the 1st and 3rd instar time frame. This means they need landowners to be on top of reporting high population densities! SCWP does grasshopper surveys each season but unfortunately, their staff can’t cover the whole county.

It is extremely important that landowners are reaching out to the SCWP if high populations of pest species are identified. The most important things to be on the lookout for are grasshopper densities of 14 or more grasshoppers per square yard, noting which stage of development they are in. “Our staff are more than happy to come take a look at sites or identify grasshopper samples if you’re unsure what you are looking at,” Sylvestre said. Unfortunately, if the grasshoppers are flying adults, it is too late for them to effectively treat the infestation. You know your land much better than they do, so having an open line of communication is key for control of these unpredictable pests.

For more information contact Jane Sylvestre Program Support Specialist Sheridan County Weed and Pest (307) 672-3740