Nev. Says End in Sight in Treatment for Crickets

It has been almost two months since the Nevada Department of Agriculture started treating Nevada’s landscape for Mormon crickets and the end is reportedly in sight.

Aerial applications of the insecticide Dimilin have reportedly been very successful. Last year NDOA aerial sprayed 66,000 acres and this year, thanks to additional funding, crews sprayed almost 272,000 acres.

Generally, areas sprayed with Dimilin reportedly have fewer crickets the following year. This means that there should be smaller populations next year over a broader area. Aerial spraying is done for this year because the crickets are now full grown.

The baiting of Mormon crickets was also stepped up this year. Last year NDOA spread about 65,000 pounds of bait. This year to date a NDOA crew of 12 has spread more than 80,000 pounds and will continue to spread for about another month to address continuing problems. NDOA encourages citizens to continue reporting cricket sightings. NDOA baits areas, not specific residences.

If a person wants to treat their own property, according to the label, they can buy the bait.

Additionally, Nevada farmers can have their property sprayed and be reimbursed by NDOA. The process starts with calling the nearest NDOA office. A NDOA representative will visit the property and qualify (population of crickets, density, etc.) the application.

After that, individuals should contract the spray and submit their invoice for reimbursement to NDOA. Farmers can follow a similar process for grasshoppers. NDOA must be called first, a NDOA rep will visit the property, and the farmer must sign an agreement, spray, pay, and then NDOA will reimburse the farmer for 2/3 of the payment.