Oregon Public Broadcasting

Grasshoppers are hopping right now. Literally.

Millions of young grasshoppers are born in late spring and early summer months – and eastern Oregon residents are getting ready.

Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

As young grasshoppers grow, they eat – a lot. And that’s when they do their most damage to crops and fields.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture encourages ranchers and farmers to act now to kill the insects.

Most farmers use the toxic pesticide dimilin to impair growth and quickly kill the grasshoppers.

The state says since the pesticide is less toxic for other creatures, it does little harm to birds and bees.

Previously, a federal grasshopper control program helped – but that is no longer an option.

Now, the Oregon Agriculture Department is loaning out four-wheeled ATVs with spray tanks.

The state’s eastern county of Baker, and its plentiful onion fields, is again one of the major hot spots for the outbreak.