Since our area had an onslaught of grasshoppers last year, I am taking precautions now for another possible attack this summer. Thanks to your info about it last year and the good results you had in your yard, I am sprinkling Nolo bait around the beds this spring. Does it remain viable after rains and is it best to toss it around in dry or wet weather?
Thanks as always, for your help Gail.
It does remain viable after rains...the nasty creatures eat it, and it kills 'em from the inside....sometimes wish I could watch just for a bit of revenge...aren't I morbid! There are North Texas reports that the grasshoppers are already doing damage this spring (I'm guessing because we had so little winter!) so you are smart to start treating now.
I understand that Nolo bait is great on the young grasshoppers....On the large ones they are not going to eat it...There is plenty of other things for them to eat once they grow up....I would certainly use it and hope for the best!!
A major reason for spreading it early in the spring and then supplementing your application every month of so. Last year, even the babies were out and about in the fall/winter because it was soooo warm for sooooo long. So several applications will make them take a big hit. I've had great luck with it. If you find one or two of your plants being demolished, I know some gardeners who apply flour to the foliage which gums up chewing critters "mouths".
Well guys, I did start spreading Nolo early - cause I keep up with Gail's Organic Guide page! Also, because I began seeing the tiny critters in March already. But everytime I scatter it, I always wonder if gets washed away by rain and if I should always try to reapply after a monsoon. Today I saw a baby grasshopper less than 1/2 inch long, caught in a spider web. So, it was nice to see the Nolo is getting a helping hand. Now if all the neighbor's would use it too!
Can you get this Nolo bait here locally: Dallas, FT Worth area? If so where?
Hi Becky, glad you visited with us! What area are you in? There are a lot of places that carry Nolo Bait. One of my favorite's is Redenta's at Green Oaks and Little Road in Arlington. Any organic store in the metroplex will carry it so if you are in Dallas, I can give you a list. If you are in Fort Worth, I can give you more of a list if Redenta's is too far for you. I've been using Nolo Bait for more than 10 years in my garden. Spread it during March, April and May and have seen 1 grasshopper the past 5 years.
It sure worked great for me too, last year. Those recent drought-summers sent the hoppers from the fields to our yards for fresh greens. I had a plague of them in 99, but not in 2000 when I used Nolo, thanks to Gail's advice.
Gail, what is the shelf life of Nolo Bait?
Yoo Hooo
Sorry, had to get ready for a trial and haven't been on the forum in a couple of days. Nolo Bait will have a canned date on its package. The Bait is good for 13 weeks from that date so be sure to spread it before the 13-week period is up. The ultimate nursery will sell it from a refrigerated area to ensure maximum viability. It's best you put the container in the refrigerator between applications.
The earlier in the spring you spread, the better control you will have. If you can't find it, then another grasshopper bait is jars half-full of 1 part molasses and 10 parts water. The mixture attracts grasshoppers. You'll have to empty the jars periodically but you'll see it working!
What have you been up to Gail? Hope they let you off with a caution.
Hmmmmm...that did sound suspicious! But really, it's not ME! Just helping my boss get prepared to take someONE ELSE! So far I've managed to get by with only one speeding ticket in my life -- when I was young and stupid. Now that I'm older and stupid, I drive slower.
Now that Gail is my type of humour stop stealing it