'In high populations it looks like the ground is moving': UDAF prepares for Mormon cricket, grasshopper season

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is mobilizing as Mormon crickets and grasshoppers begin hatching across the state. Officials warn that in areas where the insects reach high densities, the sheer number of pests can create the unsettling illusion that the ground itself is shifting.

The department is finalizing control strategies aimed at curbing the emerging populations before they can inflict significant damage on crops, rangeland, and urban areas. While specific acreage or timing details have not been released, UDAF emphasized that early-season intervention is critical to prevent the pests from multiplying to levels that overwhelm both agricultural and residential landscapes.

Mormon crickets, flightless insects that march in dense bands, and grasshoppers, capable of covering vast distances, are both capable of stripping vegetation in their path. The department’s seasonal response typically involves ground and aerial treatments, public outreach, and coordination with private landowners to target hotspots.

Residents are advised to report sightings and remain vigilant as warming temperatures accelerate hatch rates. UDAF says it will provide updates as survey teams assess the extent of the outbreak and refine treatment plans.

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