Grasshoppers - how do you catch them?

[ralleia]

Netting is easiest--if you get a butterfly net and swish it back and forth across the surface of a grassy field, reversing the direction each time, and then flip the net closed after the last swish, then you'll find a bonanza of insects.

I also catch them by hand though, especially the really BIG ones that don't seem too eager to move. (But not the dark brown locust-like ones that are mostly wing--they're too skittish even for nets!)

You must first make sure that you see where it is, and then slowly stalk it. Then "pounce" with your hand.

The very big grasshoppers will normally let me get my fingers poised around their torso--then I just close my pinchers and carry it off to the chickens.

 

[CowgirlPenny]

You can buy crickets at the pet/feed store. lol

But seriously...yes, find a small child. Tell them if they catch it they can throw it in and watch the chickens run around fighting for it. My kids love to bring the chickens worms and grasshoppers so they can watch them all try to get it.

 

[cluckin tractor]

when they are in plauge porportions the locust have trouble flying through i wind break when a wind is up so any gap in the wind break makes the locusts thick and it would be the most perfect spot to put up a net

 

[ralleia]

The U.S. was somewhat fortunate in the extinction of the Rocky Mountain locust in the late 19th century. Life and agriculture in the U.S. would have been very different had this not occurred.

 

[Pinky]

If you get down low to the ground the big grasshoppers will never see you coming.

 

[NickyPick]

Quote:
I think my knees have long since quit on me for that activity!

 

[coltsfan]

Take an old cotton blanket that has a lot of what i call "frizzies" on it and lay it down on the ground. Walk around the area a little bit to stir up the hoppers. When they land on it their hooked legs get caught, making them sitting ducks.

 

[drumstick diva]

I have never been quick enough to catch grass hoppers or crickets - lightning bugs are another matter but, don't know if it is safe for chickens to eat them.

 

[SAHMof2]

I would love to see a lightening bug. Not sure they live here

I've read that crickets love molasses. Wonder if that's true for grasshoppers. ???