Crews are surveying grasshopper populations in Cypress County. (Photo 5591933 © Photomyeye | Dreamstime.com)

By Brian Konrad

Numbers vary from district to district

Grasshoppers making themselves at home in Cypress County

Aug 5, 2022 | 10:47 AM

DUNMORE, AB — Grasshoppers are making their presence felt in some parts of Cypress County.

Lisa Sulz, agricultural supervisor for Cypress County, says hopper populations vary across the region.

The pests have been found in abundance in around Hilda and Dunmore, but they are in fewer numbers south of Elkwater.

“Depending on what part of the county they’re worse than others,” explains Sulz.

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“Now of course, with it being hot and dry that’s kind of their thing so we see more at this time of year, but they will start dying out now; by the end of August they kind of slow down a little bit, typically” adds Sulz.

County crews are out walking ditches now, counting grasshopper populations and surveying the different species of the pests.

They won’t be entering fields however, as they have a policy of minimal disruption to anything growing.

The information gathered is sent to Alberta Agriculture to help formulate grasshopper forecasts for 2023.