Biblical Plague: The Utah Mormon Crickets Are Infesting!

Last year my yard was covered in these beautiful flowers called globe mallow. I LOVE them. They were everywhere up and down the freeway and eventually they started blooming in my yard. It was gorgeous. This year I was waiting for them to bloom and they never seemed to. I went to look at the plants around my yard and they looked like they were just a little late this year. But they never bloomed. Then......I saw what was happening. Baby grasshoppers were feasting on my globe mallow. I was so sad. I sprayed them with neem oil and garlic spray but it was too late.

Next those devils took over my garden. I have never in my life seen so many insects in one area. I let my chickens free roam and they didn't seem to be putting a dent in the grasshopper population. It is insane! They are everywhere. Where are the dang seagulls to come save my yard? 

My garden was ravaged, they moved onto all of the beautiful sunflowers in my yard and then the ornamental and fruit trees. It was horrific. So much money and time down the drain. Thousands and thousands of them in my yard. I think they told all of the their friends and family that my place was the place to be. 

Then when they had consumed almost everything in my yard, they moved to the grass. It was disgusting. When I walked through the grass to get to my orchard, it looked like I was parting a sea of crickets/ grasshoppers. I try not to use pesticides in my yard because I have a ton of animals and bees.

I finally sprayed the trees and the grass to stop the vegetation massacre. Dead insect bodies everywhere. I think I lost a few bees but the fruit trees were saved. I don't know what I'm gonna do to keep them from coming back next year, but I am starting to research right now!.