Best Plants to Protect Against Red-Legged Grasshopper Damage

Red-legged grasshoppers (Melanoplus femurrubrum) are a common pest in gardens and agricultural fields across North America. Known for their voracious appetite, these insects can cause significant damage to a variety of crops and ornamental plants. Gardeners and farmers alike seek effective and natural ways to reduce the impact of red-legged grasshoppers without resorting to harsh chemical pesticides. One of the most sustainable methods is selecting and cultivating plants that naturally deter or withstand grasshopper damage.

In this article, we will explore the best plants to protect your garden or farm from red-legged grasshopper damage. We will cover plants that repel grasshoppers, those that can tolerate feeding, and strategic planting techniques to minimize harm.

Understanding Red-Legged Grasshoppers

Before diving into protective plants, it’s important to understand the nature and behavior of red-legged grasshoppers:

• Habitat: They thrive in grassy fields, meadows, and open habitats.
• Diet: They are polyphagous, meaning they feed on a wide range of plants including grasses, legumes, vegetables, and flowers.
• Damage: Their chewing can defoliate plants rapidly, leading to reduced yields or plant death.
• Life Cycle: Eggs hatch in spring or early summer; adults appear mid to late summer when damage peaks.

Managing these pests involves reducing their population and protecting vulnerable plants through cultural practices and plant selection.

Plants That Repel Red-Legged Grasshoppers

Some plants produce chemicals or possess physical traits that repel grasshoppers, making them excellent companion plants or border options in gardens.

1. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)

Marigolds are widely known for their pest-repellent properties. They emit a strong scent from their roots and foliage that deters various insects, including grasshoppers.

• Why they work: The compounds thiophenes found in marigolds have insecticidal properties.
• Planting tips: Use marigolds as border plants or interspersed among susceptible crops.
• Additional benefits: Marigolds attract pollinators and beneficial nematodes that improve soil health.

2. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.)

Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins, natural insecticides used in many commercial products.

• Why they work: Pyrethrins affect the nervous system of insects.
• Planting tips: Plant chrysanthemums near vegetable gardens or fields prone to grasshopper damage.
• Additional benefits: Showy flowers add aesthetic value while providing pest control.

3. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

With its strong aroma, lavender is disliked by many insects including grasshoppers.

• Why they work: The volatile oils in lavender act as natural repellents.
• Planting tips: Use lavender as a hedge or border plant around gardens.
• Additional benefits: Attracts pollinators like bees which aid overall garden health.

4. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

The strong scent of peppermint deters many insect pests.

• Why they work: Menthol and other compounds produce an unpleasant environment for grasshoppers.
• Planting tips: Grow peppermint in containers near vulnerable crops to avoid its invasive nature.
• Additional benefits: Useful herb for culinary and medicinal purposes.

5. Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic’s pungent aroma repels numerous insect species including grasshoppers.

• Why they work: Sulfur compounds in garlic act as natural deterrents.
• Planting tips: Plant garlic cloves around garden perimeters or between rows.
• Additional benefits: Garlic bulbs provide harvestable food crops.

Plants That Tolerate or Withstand Red-Legged Grasshopper Feeding

Sometimes repelling grasshoppers isn’t enough; selecting plants that tolerate feeding without significant damage can help maintain garden productivity.

6. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflowers have tough leaves that some grasshoppers avoid due to texture and chemical makeup.

• Tolerance level: While some feeding occurs, sunflowers generally withstand moderate defoliation without serious harm.
• Planting tips: Use sunflowers as trap crops to divert grasshoppers from more sensitive crops.
• Additional benefits: Provide habitat for beneficial insects and produce edible seeds.

7. Corn (Zea mays)

Corn’s height and robust growth habit make it more resilient to grasshopper damage than low-growing crops.

• Tolerance level: Can tolerate moderate leaf feeding; however heavy infestations still reduce yield.
• Planting tips: Interplant corn with repellant herbs like basil or mint for added protection.
• Additional benefits: Staple crop with high economic value.

8. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Sorghum is a hardy cereal crop known for drought tolerance and resistance to some insect pests.

• Tolerance level: Resistant to serious damage due to tough leaves and rapid growth.
• Planting tips: Plant sorghum strips within fields as barriers or trap crops.
• Additional benefits: Multi-use crop for food, feed, and biofuel production.

9. Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)

Zucchini has thick leaves and a rapid growth rate allowing it to recover quickly from foliar damage caused by grasshoppers.

• Tolerance level: Moderate tolerance; should be monitored closely during outbreaks.
• Planting tips: Grow zucchini alongside repellent companion plants like nasturtium.
• Additional benefits: Prolific fruit producer for home gardeners.

Strategic Planting Techniques for Grasshopper Management

In addition to choosing the right plant species, strategic planting practices enhance protection against red-legged grasshoppers:

10. Intercropping

Growing repellent plants such as marigolds or garlic alongside susceptible crops can create a barrier effect deterring grasshoppers from reaching valuable plants.

11. Trap Crops

Use tolerant plants like sunflowers or sorghum as sacrificial crops planted around the garden perimeter. These attract grasshoppers away from main crops and reduce feeding injury where it matters most.

12. Dense Plantings

Grasshoppers prefer open areas where it is easy to land and feed. Dense planting arrangements reduce landing spaces and make access harder for these pests.

13. Diverse Plantings

Diversity confuses pests by disrupting their ability to locate preferred hosts easily. Include a mix of repellant, tolerant, and attractive species to lower overall damage risk.

Additional Natural Control Measures

While plant selection plays a major role in managing red-legged grasshopper damage, combining it with other organic approaches improves results:

• Encourage natural predators such as birds, spiders, ground beetles, and parasitic wasps by creating wildlife habitat zones.
• Use physical barriers like row covers during peak hatching times.
• Maintain healthy soil through organic amendments which promote vigorous plant growth better able to withstand feeding pressure.

Conclusion

Protecting your garden or farm from red-legged grasshopper damage requires an integrated approach where plant choice is fundamental. Incorporating pest-repellent species such as marigolds, chrysanthemums, lavender, peppermint, and garlic helps reduce insect pressure naturally. Meanwhile, cultivating tolerant plants like sunflowers, corn, sorghum, and zucchini provides resilience against inevitable feeding attacks.

Combining these plant selections with smart cultural practices—such as intercropping, trap cropping, dense planting, and biodiversity—creates an environment less favorable for red-legged grasshoppers while supporting overall ecosystem health. This sustainable strategy minimizes reliance on chemical pesticides while maintaining productive landscapes free from serious pest damage.

By carefully planning your plantings with red-legged grasshopper resistance in mind, you can enjoy a healthier garden full of thriving plants protected against one of nature’s most persistent chewing pests.