Locusts make for a fun topic because in the U.S. we use the name to describe different insect creatures. If you’re talking about locusts, you could really be talking about anything that’s swarming. The original species of locusts that had made their way to the U.S. hundreds of years ago have been technically extinct for about a hundred years now. However, the locusts we talk about today fall in the same category but don’t completely act the same as the true locusts of the past or the ones you will find active overseas. Locusts are basically giant grasshoppers. Colors may vary, but they are not the tiny green ones you see hopping around or the crickets that you fish with; they are grasshoppers on steroids, and they fly. Not only do they fly, but they swarm in massive numbers so big they can block out light, which will leave anyone questioning, “Are locusts dangerous?”

How Dangerous Are Locusts?

So how dangerous are locusts? They are not dangerous in the way of attacking you, biting you, stinging you, or making you ill. Locusts do not have any stingers on their bodies, and they will not bite. These insects are strictly a plant matter eater and thankfully do not spread disease. True locusts today are found in the Middle East and South America and many are found in the country of Africa.

Locusts are long and slender grasshoppers with extremely long legs used for jumping and wings for flying. These jumping critters are known best for the stories passed down over thousands of years of locust plagues that wreaked havoc on colonies in the Middle East and even in America in the 1800s. Loving to swarm in huge packs, Locusts created a dangerous situation for people during that time because they ate up all the crops. This is still a dangerous situation for people living in countries that have active locusts—the risk comes from the damage to growing agriculture as locusts feast on it.

Swarms can be so big that locusts cover up everything in sight, making it nearly impossible to recognize what is under them. Major weather events or climate change can affect the swarming brood. Luckily, in the U.S. we no longer have to worry about massive swarms of locusts, but we do have to keep a cautious eye on their close relatives, the grasshoppers, and the other insects we mistakenly name as locusts.

Swarming Locusts

When many people in New Jersey instinctively wonder how dangerous are locusts, they are referring to the bigger species of grasshoppers we see today. While these grasshoppers no longer live up to the stories of locust plagues, they will cause a lot of trouble to farmland. Once the timing is right, locusts will swarm in large numbers that can be hard to control and while they can be dangerous to each other, they are not physically harmful to humans. If farmlands are not treated or maintained properly, these fellas will devour the lush plants, placing a significant strain on crops. This is harmful in the way of losing time, money, and resources as well as sufficient human food sources.

Solitude is their best friend, which is why when you see them out and about you will see just one not several jumping around. When it is time to mate and swarm, they become extroverts all of a sudden by congregating together to form a huge flying mass. With all the busyness of swarming comes a large appetite and this is when they become dangerous to those to grow crops. They will eat up the entire field with no way to stop them. You may notice that farmers will cover their crops with a mesh material or build trenches throughout their farmland. Ensuring a way to secure crops without using pesticides. Many also rely on pest control companies to come and assist because once it becomes out of control it becomes harder to maintain. At Kapture Pest Control, we have the knowledge base and tools to create plans to keep your garden or field free from locusts.

New Jersey residents will also talk about locust problems but when our techs at Kapture Pest Control evaluate the issue we find that they are often talking about cicadas. Cicadas and locusts are tossed around equally even though they are two completely different insects. People question if locusts are dangerous because they see the red eyes, loud noise, and swarming effects but are really questioning the danger of cicadas. Cicada adults are large black insects with big brown wings and big red eyes. They emerge from underground and latch onto trees. These cousins of the locusts will swarm and ignite their musical tone which can be almost deafening. The locust and cicada mix-up goes all the way back to the 1800s when they emerged on the heels of a locust plague. Folks then didn’t know what this insect was but with the noise and the massive swarm it felt dangerous, making people believe they were the same as the locusts.

Having a good pest control company to call on anytime strange insects arise will help put your mind at ease. Kapture Pest Control is readily available to answer any questions you may have about locusts around your property or if you are indeed seeing locusts. We create plans just for you and your property and we schedule to come back to your property on a regular basis to check things out, apply additional treatments, or help solve your pest problems. If you are worried about how to protect your garden no matter how big or small, call us and we will gladly assist you in coming up with a plan that works.

No more worrying about whether your crops will be safe. No more worrying about losing money spent on garden upkeep just to have it devoured by locusts that it wasn’t meant for.

Just remember that if you see locusts start to multiply rapidly in your area a swarm is coming. While locusts are not dangerous to you physically, they can be dangerous to your hard work and efforts at growing crops. Call Kapture today to get started!

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