From cockroaches to spiders, snakes to bees, we have extensively covered common pests and insects that plague us in and out of the house. This time, we are throwing the spotlight on grasshoppers (known as tidda in Hindi), the similar looking cousin to locusts. In fact, their similarity makes it even more difficult to identify which is which and take necessary action. According to Deepak Sharma from Indian Pest Control Company, grasshoppers and locusts resemble each other. Both have long legs and can jump and fly. But here’s the difference: locusts are grasshoppers that act different when they’re in big groups. Grasshoppers usually stay alone or in small numbers, but locusts show up in large groups and can destroy plants really fast. "If you just see one or two bugs hopping around, they’re probably grasshoppers. If there’s a whole bunch flying or chewing leaves together, they’re likely locusts," he pointed out. Sharma explained that grasshoppers most likely come into homes and gardens in search of plants to eat, especially the green and leafy stuff. "Sometimes they come inside because it’s too hot or dry outside. In certain cases, it's the lights on porches and inside homes that attract them, especially at night," he said. How can you get rid of them? Sharma suggested the following tips to help you get rid of grasshoppers at home: Get rid of what’s pulling them in: Cut down overgrown plants. Don’t keep too many pots near windows or doors. Turn off garden lights at night if you can. Try simple home sprays: You can mix water with garlic or neem oil and spray it on plants. They don’t like strong smells, such as basil or marigolds. Block them out: Put mesh screens on windows. If one gets inside, guide it out with a broom or catch it in a jar and take it outside. Common mistakes to avoid When dealing with outdoor insects, people often tend to spray harsh chemicals inside their houses. However, Sharma advised against doing so since they can be harmful to your and your pet's health. "Put special emphasis on your garden. If you don’t fix the outside, they’ll keep coming back," he said, adding that one must act fast and not just move when the insects have already made their way inside. By that time, they’ve probably done some damage. "Avoid leaving outside lights on, as that brings more of them to your door or windows," he finally added.
