How to Make Natural Grasshopper Repellent Spray at Home?

In the United States, 1,000 species of grasshoppers have been identified, and globally, the number of known species is 20,000. Several species feed on leaves, and they are mostly active from spring to fall, especially during the warm, dry summer, when the natural weeds are minimal. However, did you know grasshoppers can cause severe damage to your crops and pasture?

​Yes, grasshoppers are very destructive, especially when they are in their nymph stage, and feed on your vegetables, flowers, and grasses. Hence, they need to be managed effectively, and many homeowners prefer to use DIY natural grasshopper spray to repel them.

3 Natural Grasshopper Sprays to Get Rid of Them

Here are some effective and natural grasshopper sprays to manage grasshoppers in your garden -

Neem Oil

Applying neem oil to the plants in your garden will prevent these critters from eating up the leaves and vegetables. It also slows down the activities of the grasshopper. Neem oil can be made by -

• Mix two quarts of warm water with 1/2 a teaspoon of mild liquid soap.

• Stir slowly, and add 3 teaspoons of pure neem oil.

• Once the ingredients are mixed well, pour them into the spray bottle and spray the mixture in your garden.

Garlic Spray

Garlic can also help deter grasshoppers from your garden. You can either purchase garlic spray from the market or make it via DIY at home. For this, you need to -

• Blend two bulbs of garlic and 10 cups of water.

• Boil the mixture and allow it to rest for at least 8 hours.

• Next, dilute the mixture by adding 3 parts of water.

• Once done, transfer the mixture to a spray bottle and spray on the plants. Also, ensure to cover the underside of the leaves.

Onion, Garlic, and Pepper Spray

Grasshoppers hate the smell of cayenne pepper, onion, and garlic. Here’s how to make the spray at home -

• Blend garlic cloves, onion, and cayenne pepper together.

• Ensure to blend it well, as it needs to be sprayed.

• Add water to it as required, and ensure the mixture is fine enough so that it can be sprayed easily.

You can also use insecticide sprays, such as malathion, permethrin, bifenthrin, and carbaryl, to suppress grasshopper infestation. Using an insecticide spray can help kill the grasshoppers and is also cost-effective. However, it is advised to use it carefully, as these sprays may kill beneficial insects and animals. Also, avoid spraying it on edible plants.

What Are Other Methods to Get Rid of Grasshoppers?

Here are some other methods to get rid of these pests -

Grow a Green Border

Grow long grasses, leafy green plants, and other trap plants if you know that the grasshoppers often migrate through your garden. This acts as a decoy that draws the grasshoppers towards the trap crop and keeps them busy instead of feeding on your fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Ensure to maintain the trap crop so that it stays vigorous, green, and tall enough to prevent the grasshoppers from invading your garden.

Nosema Locustae Bait

Consider using biological control if your grasshopper problem is occurring in more than one growing season. Nosema Locustae, a protozoan found in commercial baits like Nolo Bait and Semaspore, is approved to be used in organic farming. For better results, apply the bait early in the season, especially at the places where the grasshoppers might lay eggs. This ensures that when the nymphs hatch, they consume the bait and get infected.

Add Flour Dusts

Consider sprinkling some flour dust on plant leaves to keep the grasshoppers away. When they eat the flour, it sticks to their mouth and inside, and as a result, grasshoppers can’t eat and starve to death. However, it is to be noted that the flour should not contain salt, as it may harm the plants.

Soil Tilling

Grasshoppers prefer undisturbed areas to lay their eggs. To prevent this, keep the soil tilled in mid-summer to repel females from laying eggs. However, tilling may reduce the soil moisture and lead to erosion. Hence, it is advised to consider the disadvantages of soil tilling before doing so.

Are There Any Other Ways to Prevent Grasshoppers?

Though there are no formal studies, planting cilantro, horehound, and calendula can help repel grasshoppers. They are planted along the garden’s perimeter to keep the grasshoppers at bay. Also, you can plant flowers like lilac, forsythia, jasmine, and sage to keep these insects away.

​You can also bring natural predators, such as chickens and guinea fowl, to prevent the grasshoppers from overrunning the garden. But if you don’t like chickens running in and around your yard, consider installing a bird feeder to attract birds that love grasshoppers.

​You can also leave spiders in the garden, as they help reduce the number of grasshoppers hopping and destroying your crops.