GRASSHOPPER CONTROL 
By CHARLES R. JONES 
The agricultural interests of the United States have suffered 
for many years from the depredations of locusts, or grasshoppers, 
and every farmer should be more familiar with the methods of con¬ 
trol. Usually the question of grasshopper control becomes a prob¬ 
lem for concerted action, but co-operation is not always possible 
and the individual farmer should at all times keep this problem 
before him for consideration. In almost every county of Colo¬ 
rado there have been outbreaks of this pest, and various remedial 
measures have been applied. Should weather conditions favor in¬ 
sect development this year, practical control methods should be 
used to save the crops. 
The past season witnessed several outbreaks in various parts 
of our State which were successfully controlled, and there is no 
longer any reason why the farmers should allow their crops to be 
destroyed by this pest. They are better informed than ever before 
as to the life history and habits of the grasshopper and the most 
efficient methods of destroying them. Colorado’s “Amended Pest 
Law” provides for the forming of pest districts for the control of 
rodents and injurious insects, and can be applied effectively in all 
localities. This measure should have the active support of all 
county commissioners to give a basis for a county-wide organiza¬ 
tion, and the direct application of remedial measures for the com¬ 
plete control of this invading pest. 
The general life history, habits, and practical methods of con¬ 
trol of grasshoppers have been worked out and are given here, in 
order that the farmers may intelligently and successfully combat 
the pests. The investigations upon which this paper is based gives 
information that can be applied in any part of the State. 
LIFE HISTORY 
Egg .—The life histories of our various species of destructive 
grasshoppers are very similar. The female usually selects a spot 
to oviposit in some waste land. Ideal places are found along fence 
borders, ditch-banks, roadsides, weedy patches or fallow lands. 
Cultivated fields are not so susceptible to oviposition as the above 
mentioned places. The individual spot selected is generally slight¬ 
ly elevated, dry and somewhat protected from the sun. 
After selecting a suitable place, the female forms a hole by 
forcing the tip of her abdomen down into the soil, and alternately 
