If springtime climatic conditions are favorable — warm and dry weather — for egg hatch, we expect to see large numbers of grasshoppers this summer in parts of Tooele County. In an effort to minimize damage to agricultural as well as homeowner property, Tooele County will assist in coordination efforts to help property owners protect private interests.

Cooperation will be needed from the public, especially landowners with large parcels of crop and/or rangeland adjacent to urban and residential areas. In order for control efforts to be effective, treatments will need to be made over large areas. Aerial treatment costs should range from $2 to $5 per acre. Tooele County will assist in education about pests and pest control programs, monitoring for insects, information about applicators and applicants, and coordination with applicators and neighboring landowners.

For qualifying agricultural producers, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF, www.ag.utah.gov) and the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS, www.aphis.usda.gov) have insect control reimbursement programs available.

For small landowners and homeowners, information about grasshoppers can be found on Utah State University’s plant pest diagnostic laboratory Web site www.utahpests.usu.edu. Select fact sheets and then type “grasshoppers” in the search box. Information about chemical and biological control measures is provided.

Tooele County cannot provide pesticides for control of grasshoppers. Control of pests on private land is the responsibility of landowners. Tooele County cannot be liable.

Linden Greenhalgh is the Utah State University Tooele County Extension director and ag agent.