This is my experience with Nolo Bait (nosema locustae). In early spring, for
the past three years, I buy a fresh container at Barton Springs Nursery. It's
the best price anywhere at about 12 dollars. It's enough to do an acre. When I
see the first tiny nymph I sprinkle the bait around where I saw the nymphs,
since probably that's where eggs were lain. About one week later, I do another
very small application. I have half acre so I can do four applications in the
spring.

Three years ago, I could not walk in the garden without being hit by hoppers,
freaking out at their size and I am desperately afraid of them (for some
reason). There were so many, I couldn't garden if my husband wasn't home with
me. I'm talking phobia.

I continued to apply the bait in early spring for four applications a week apart
after seeing the first nymph. By that time I knew where on the property were the
heaviest populations so I'd sprinkle a bit more there. First I would wet the
foliage, then judiciously sprinkle the bait so it would stick to the foliage.

Okay, this year. It's nearing the end of August and I think I've seen about 20
grasshoppers on my property this year. Now, we did have that late freeze with
the ice and snow. The week or few days before that, it was in the 80s, if
anyone recalls. That may have warmed the soil enough to cause a hatch and the
freeze got a lot of them, but each year I've had less and less grasshoppers.

Finally, this year I can say I have them managed. I can deal with a few dozen,
but not the many hundreds and hundreds I had. I should also add that our
property has many hundreds of lizards in all stages of life. They are
everywhere, all day, all the time. They do eat grasshoppers, as do other great
living creatures like mockingbirds, which I have three pairs.

So, that's my grasshopper report.

NoloBait works if it is applied properly, when nymphs first hatch out.

victoria


On 28 Aug 2003 09:30:20 -0700, (Steve Coyle) opined:

Howdy folks,
In regards to No Lo bait, here is a link to their site giving
details:

http://www.biconet.com/biocontrol/nolo.html

The site does mention that it's effectiveness is limited once the
invasion is in full swing. It's a disease that is spread from
grasshopper to grasshopper by the bugs charming habit of canibalizing
their dead.

take care,
Steve Coyle
www.austingardencenter.com