Jack Edmondson wrote:I am looking for a large scale natural solution to grasshoppers.
Any other natural alternatives to knocking down the hoards?
For large scale farming operations, contact
https://www.naturalorganicwarehouse.com/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=grasshopper and ask them. They had a solution coming out back when I lived down that way and the grasshoppers lined the tops of every
fence.
I am short on time, so I'm going to paste everything I found when trying to control them back then.
GARDEN CONTROL OF GRASSHOPPERS
First, cut the ends out of both ends of tin cans. Tie them to the
fence all the way around the property. Then put a tablespoon or more of Nolo grasshopper bait in each can.
Spray diatomaceous earth directly on the plants. Both have to be replenished after every rain and the bait whenever it runs out.
(In a garden, you can use a sifter / sieve with small holes to sprinkle plants with food grade diatomaceous earth.)
More tips in
http://www.arbico-organics.com/category/pest-solver-guide-grasshoppers-crickets
Notes on Grasshopper Control
https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/lawn-pests/grasshopper-control/#.V-rbBtGr-9Q.facebook
Control
Roto-till or cultivate crops in the spring to destroy overwintering eggs.
Harvest-Guard row covers can be used to cover and protect small garden areas.
For long-term grasshopper protection, apply organic Semaspore Bait (Nosema locustae)
https://www.planetnatural.com/product/semaspore-grasshopper-control/ to hatching beds – field margins and other undisturbed grassy areas – when grasshoppers are young. Heavy infestations may require multiple applications.
Azamax
https://www.planetnatural.com/product/azamax-azadirachtin/ contains azadirachtin, the key insecticidal ingredient found in neem oil. This concentrated spray is approved for organic use and offers multiple modes of action, making it virtually impossible for pest resistance to develop. Best of all, it’s non-toxic to
honey bees and many other beneficial insects.
Spread EcoBran Bait
https://www.planetnatural.com/product/ecobran-grasshopper-bait/ or apply botanical insecticides, such as organic pyrethrins
https://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/natural-pest-control/natural-pesticides/, to areas where you are experiencing heavy grasshopper damage and require a quick-kill.
http://aolanswers.com/questions/flour-kill-grasshoppers-home-garden_149735519299825 If didn't show up, use this elsewhere
Yes, you can use non-rising flour to kill insects especially grasshoppers, but fossil shell flour which is a course ground Diatomaceous Earth works best. Sprinkle it wherever grasshoppers eat and it can kill them quickly. I use a really large strainer and a scoop like you would use to feed grain or dog food to powder every plant in my garden.
Stand near your plants, pour from the scoop into the strainer and shake sideways or up and down to powder your plants the way you would put powdered sugar lightly over a cake. I powder all the plants and then powder any grassy areas surrounding them to try to kill off the grasshoppers before they even get to the plants.
I also use Nolo grasshopper bait. I cut both ends out of food cans (like your soup or vegetables come in) and tie them with a string to the fence around the garden. Then take a tablespoon and
spoon bait into each can. I have 14 cans around the garden.
Ideally you want these to be not right next to your plants because you want to entice grasshoppers heading for your garden away, and the ones already in it out. The cans protect the bait so more of it ends up in the grasshoppers and not soaking into the ground - especially if it rains.
The bait kills the grasshoppers eventually and then they become more bait to kill more grasshoppers. It is effective, but the fossil flour protects your plants until the bait and flour can kill them.
In spring 2013, I was paying $30 for a large bag (50 lbs?) of fossil flour and $54 for 5 lbs of Nolo bait at my local feed stores. You can to call around because organic method of pest control are still not widely known.
IMPORTANT: Only use FOOD GRADE fossil flour! It is save to consume and won't hurt your pets, you or your plants. Other fossil flours may be harvested from salt
water and that would damage the plants and the soil in your garden or
yard.
http://greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=003cS0
http://www.ghorganics.com/page12.html
Barriers
Plant the herb horehound (Marrubium vulgare) which is known to repel grasshoppers.
Grasshoppers do not like cilantro which is used by many organic gardeners as a barrier crop.
Plant calendula as a barrier deterrent.
Spray a heavy infusion of garlic oil as a repellent.
Grasshoppers are attracted to monocultures and do not like nitrogen-fixing crops like peas and sweet clover.
Row covers, like Reemay, or screens can be effectively used to keep them from your crops.
https://www.dirtdoctor.com/garden/Grasshopper-Control-Newsletter_vq3814.htm