Grasshoppers swarm in Douglas County

People are noticing more than the usual number of the long-legged, chewing insects in their gardens, on their grass and even plastered on the sides of their homes.

Fish Springs resident Linda Monohan says the infestation is the heaviest she has seen at her home east of Gardnerville.

"In 18 years, this is definitely the first time we've seen this many grasshoppers out here," she said. "We started to notice them around the first of June, and it's been growing and moving ever since."

The spring population explosion was actually predicted from surveys taken last fall, according to Nevada Division of Agriculture Entomologist Jeff Knight.

"For the last several years, the numbers have slowly been building up, and this last winter was ideal for them - mild with plenty of moisture and not seriously cold," he said.

Knight said more than eight grasshoppers per square yard is considered economically damaging. Surveys taken in the Fish Springs area found 12-15 young grasshoppers per square yard in the cheat grass area on public land, and 50-100 hoppers per square yard on private property, where green grass, plants and trees get artificial watering.

"They definitely like the green," said Steve Lewis, University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension educator.

Lewis said that so far, he hadn't heard any cries of concern from farmers or ranchers in the lush valley.

"This is first time I can remember that the population explosion was predicted and actually came true, but there's no mechanism to treat the problem," Lewis said.

"What surprises me is that money is always available to fight fire or flood, but with an insect infestation, we can't find the money. And it's hard to put a dollar value on the damage that occurs as a result of an insect infestation."

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