Infested!!!

 This year has some interesting developments in the yard... This year there are more grasshoppers in our yard than I have ever seen in any one place before in my life! I had some nasturtiums planted and they were growing nicely, but they have been eaten right off.. there is nothing left! I have a border of Bishop's weed in the front yard, and it is nothing but bare stems left! Now they are attacking the yarrow, dogwood, and who knows what else! I am worried for my vegetables!

How many grasshoppers can you count?

 

What is left of the bishop's weed

This week, in an effort to reduce the population of grasshoppers a bit, we actually went out with a butterfly net and a big bucket of soapy water and scooped them off the plants, scooping up to a dozen at a time!!! But once we did the initial swipes, they all jumped away or dropped to the ground because I could only catch one or two at a time after that. The next effort we put forth was to sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the worst areas. Diatomaceous earth is finely ground sea shells and is perfectly safe for people and pets, but for insects, it is like walking on glass, so we are hoping that they will consume it with the leaves it is on and that it will make them sick. We have even considered getting a few chickens, but they eat vegetables too.....

We will continue to do everything that we know how to do to control the damage and minimize the loss as much as we can, but with this many grasshoppers in the yard, it might be more than we can do - especially since they are just as bad in the neighbor's yards and gardens. I pray for rain and I pray for answers and guidance to help us know how to deal with this problem. I know that the Lord knows the solution to the problem, and He will guide us in whatever we are able to do and He will help with the rest regardless of the outcome. I am so thankful for the peace that that knowledge gives me.