10 Natural and Non-Toxic Ways to Get Rid of Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers are small green insects that can quickly eat through your garden and yard. When they’re young and growing rapidly, these hopping insects can do the most damage, feeding on leaves and stems and even devouring whole plants. Infestations of grasshoppers move fast and can completely destroy a small garden within hours.

“Unfortunately, grasshoppers will tend to appear anywhere there’s suitable habitat for them,” says Brett Bennett, Director of Operations at PURCOR Pest Solutions. “However, if you can stay on top of their numbers when they first appear for the season, you can at least keep things from getting out of control.”

So in other words, there's hope! There are ways you can prevent and eliminate grasshoppers in your yard. Here, experts share natural and non-toxic ways to get rid of grasshoppers.

Natural Methods to Get Rid of Grasshoppers

Lawn Maintenance

The first step to banish grasshoppers from your garden is to maintain your yard and cut the grass regularly. This reduces grasshoppers’ hiding spots and places to lay eggs. 

“One of the best ways to minimize grasshoppers in your yard is to keep your lawn mowed short and eliminate weeds,” says Bob Gilbert, a board-certified entomologist at Blue Sky Pest Control. 

Neem Oil

Another way to deter grasshoppers is with natural pesticides such as neem oil. Neem oil repels grasshoppers and disrupts their reproduction and growth. The oil is available as an insecticide spray at most gardening stores. 

“Neem oil is a natural insecticide that works as an antifeedant against grasshoppers when applied to plants,” says Ngan Nguyen Rawlings, a senior specialist of global controls at ScottsMiracle-Gro with a PhD in entomology.

Garlic Spray

Another popular natural repellent for grasshoppers is garlic spray. Grasshoppers dislike the scent of garlic, and it’s easy to create a DIY garlic spray. Soak garlic cloves in water for 24 hours and spray the solution on your plants to repel grasshoppers. 

Tilling the Soil

When grasshoppers invade a field or other open area, tilling the soil is a way to disturb them. Tilling disrupts their breeding grounds, physically damages eggs, and exposes grasshoppers to predators and the elements. If you opt for tilling, it’s best to do it in the springtime, before eggs hatch. Tilling in the fall can remove groundcovers that help plants survive the winter. 

Natural Baits

Baits are another option for getting rid of grasshoppers. Many grasshopper baits contain the natural ingredient Nosema locustae. This ingredient kills grasshoppers and works best when used early in the season when they are still young. 

“Grasshopper baits containing a protozoan, Nosema locustae, can be effective against young grasshoppers, especially when paired with other control methods,” says Rawlings.

Protozoan is a naturally occurring substance that infects and kills grasshoppers and is non-toxic to humans and pets. Whatever natural solutions you choose, combine a few methods for the best grasshopper control.

Non-Toxic Solutions for Grasshopper Control

Diatomaceous Earth

Non-toxic substances such as diatomaceous earth can work wonders for banishing grasshoppers. Adding it to your yard or garden dehydrates and kills grasshoppers. 

“Sprinkle diatomaceous earth, a naturally occurring sedimentary soft rock commonly used as a dust, around plants,” Rawlings says. “It is a desiccant that absorbs oil and lipids from the grasshopper’s exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate and die. It can be found at most major home improvement stores.”

Vinegar

Another non-toxic deterrent for grasshoppers is vinegar. Both wood vinegar and distilled vinegar give off pungent scents that can repel grasshoppers. Combine vinegar and water and spray it on your plants to prevent grasshoppers. Note that this solution works best as a deterrent for small populations of grasshoppers but is not enough to combat infestations. 

Flour Gum

Flour gum is sometimes used to disperse grasshoppers, but it has limited abilities. It can impede grasshopper jaws from working and slow down their feeding, but it does not kill grasshoppers or completely curb their feeding. 

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Techniques

IPM, or Integrated Pest Management, is a multi-level approach to managing pests that focuses on prevention and natural solutions. This pest control strategy favors environmentally friendly methods and minimizes reliance on chemical controls. IPM relies on monitoring grasshopper populations and identifying hotspots to treat them before infestation occurs. 

Physical Barriers

One IPM strategy is to use physical barriers to protect plants from grasshoppers. You can drape nets or rows—lightweight fabric covers—over plants in your garden to ward off hungry grasshoppers. Ensure the area around the bottom is tight so grasshoppers can’t sneak under the barrier to access plants. 

Natural Predators

Another natural solution for banishing grasshoppers is cultivating beneficial insects and natural predators in your yard. Animals that feed on grasshoppers include birds, frogs, toads, lizards, some large spiders, and small mammals like mice, shrews, and hedgehogs. 

“I have honestly had great luck using backyard chickens as a way to control grasshopper populations,” Bennett says. “Chickens love grasshoppers, and even a small flock will eat tons during the season. Since I’ve had them, the grasshopper population in my backyard has dwindled to almost nothing, even at the height of their active period. 

If you don’t want chickens in your yard, other birds feed on grasshoppers, too, Bennett says. “Chickens aren’t the only animals that will feast on these bugs, so hanging a bird feeder or installing a bird bath can be a great way to lure in predators that will do the work for you.”

Prevention and Long-Term Strategies

Preventing grasshoppers is the best way to minimize damage to your garden and save yourself the headache of dealing with infestations. Regularly maintaining your yard and garden and removing potential grasshopper habitats will help keep your plants safe. 

Weed Regularly

“Don’t forget to weed those out-of-the-way spots and along borders,” Gilbert says. “Tall weeds will attract grasshoppers and supply them with food."

Turn Off Lights

Gilbert adds that another prevention method is to turn off exterior lights at night and to draw your blinds or curtains shut. "Light attracts many types of insects to your property, including grasshoppers. Alternatively, you can change out your exterior bulbs for warm white LEDs, which pests find much less attractive.”

Plant Repellents and Trap Crops

Another strategy is to implement companion planting by adding plants to your garden that repel grasshoppers, such as forsythia, cilantro, crape myrtle, passion vine, goldenrod, juniper, or Russian sage. 

Trap crops offer an additional grasshopper solution. The idea of trap crops is to lure grasshoppers to a particular area, away from the plants you want to protect. For this strategy, you can plant tall grass, alfalfa, clovers, or foxtail millet in a designated area to keep grasshoppers away from your garden.