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The Nevada Department of Agriculture encourages the public to report cricket sightings to aid in population tracking and treatment planning.
As of April 18, 220 reports were received from Washoe, Pershing, Churchill, Humboldt, Lander, Eureka, White Pine and Elko counties. Based on reported sightings and surveying of the area in 2023 and 2024, the NDA has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine to protect 222,254 acres by aerial treatments.
These treatments are pending USDA PPQ approval and funding. Treatments must be strategic in terms of timing, weather, location and budgetary constraints. Areas can only be treated once per year, meaning if treatments and baiting are conducted now, those same areas cannot be treated again later if adult crickets are causing damage.
At their current life stage, the Mormon crickets are not as apt to eat the bait. Both baits and sprays can only be applied during specific weather conditions, precipitation and wind being the primary barriers for application.
Other environmental concerns are also taken into consideration. The NDA is only permitted to treat public lands and those must meet other criteria including density per square yard. Private landowners can purchase bait at agriculture supply stores.
Mormon crickets are a common occurrence throughout Northern Nevada and other western states. Populations can reach levels that pose a risk to agriculture and public safety on roadways.
Several factors, including temperatures and late snows, can impact what populations will look like in any given year, making it difficult to predict what the year will look like.
Generally, populations in Northern Nevada have trended downward over the last few years, however, populations in Eureka and Elko have remained about the same. Each year is different and different areas may be heavier or lighter than the prior year.
Report sightings of Mormon crickets to the NDA at agri.nv.gov/entomology.
For information, visit www.agri.nv.gov/entomology.