Nolo Bait - 10 lb.

Nolo Bait™ is a long-term grasshopper suppression agent.  It is a spreadable bait made from flaky wheat bran coated with Nosema locustae spores.  Grasshoppers eat the bran, thus becoming infected with Nosema.  Nolo Bait™ is very easy to apply and has no adverse effects on non-target organisms.  It is safe for use around humans, pets, birds, wildlife and won't contaminate waterways.  It won't harm beneficial insects and is widely approved for organic use.

How exactly does Nolo Bait™ work?

Once the Nosema locustae spores are ingested by the grasshopper they become activated in the grasshopper's mid-gut. The spores germinate or extrude a filament from the cell wall. In the process of extruding this filament, the spores pierce the mid-gut wall of the grasshopper and in very young grasshoppers death usually occurs very quickly.  This is due to septicemia  or bacteria invading the grasshopper and causing death. In more mature grasshoppers the spores continue to reproduce, utilizing the fat body of the grasshopper for energy. 

As the Nosema locustae population increases inside the grasshopper it becomes lethargic, reduces its feeding and has lowered reproduction capability.  In addition, grasshoppers are quite cannibalistic and healthy grasshoppers will feed on their slow, sickly companions.  This enables the Nosema locustae to spread throughout the  population and infect other grasshoppers that migrate into the area.  Infected female grasshoppers can also pass the  infection along in the sticky substance that surrounds the egg pods.  As the newly hatching grasshoppers chew their way out of the egg pod they also become infected and will mostly likely die before reaching the first molt.  

It is important to note that the most obvious results may be seen the season after your initial application.  This is due to an overall decrease in egg laying capability and infection of the new spring hatch. Follow-up applications, each year grasshopper populations are on the increase, are useful to continue this process.

How do I apply Nolo Bait™?

it is very important to understand that Nolo Bait™ does not work rapidly. It is a subtle disease that takes time to develop to levels that can be readily identified. By putting out the bait at the minimum label rate of 1 lb. per acre equivalent, you are performing what is called an "inoculative" release. This will begin the disease process in the population present at that time; however, depending on the grasshopper population densities and varying age groups at the time, the level of inoculation will vary.

For instance, if you have more than 8 grasshoppers per sq. yard (the number considered economically damaging by the USDA) and put out one pound to the acre one time, you will probably have serious competition for each flake of bran out there. Quite possibly there will be a large percentage of grasshoppers that don't even get one flake to themselves. In that case, there will be many that will not become infected,  until they begin consuming those around them that have become sick enough to become attractive as a food source. 

Due to grasshoppers'  extremely migratory nature and ability to move over great distances, it is optimal to inoculate your area frequently throughout the season. This will help to spread the infection further and aid in long term control. Nosema may not work as quickly as chemical pesticides, but used correctly, it will have a noticeable impact on populations in the long term.

Grasshopper cycles peak and valley approximately every 7 years. This can vary by one to two years either way, but basically, every 7 years or so they will reach a high or  low. Winter and spring weather will have an effect on the spring hatch as well.  It is helpful to check with the Dept. of Agriculture in your state to find out what the population predictions are for your area on a year-by-year basis.  You can then plan your releases accordingly. If populations are in the uphill trend, it is definitely advisable to initiate the disease process immediately and to continue to inoculate each year until the peak has happened and the downward cycle becomes evident. If you get started soon enough and a large enough percentage of grasshoppers are inoculated, you may deter severely escalating populations from ever actually taking place. The more area treated on a consistent basis, the more long term control you can expect to take place. Optimally, spreading bait frequently throughout the season will be more advantageous than just once at the label minimum application rate.

Though young grasshoppers will be killed more quickly by Nosema than adults, if you are not planning follow up treatments spring may not be the optimal time to infect, simply because it does not offer long term carryover. The young grasshoppers die quickly, dry up and disappear. Healthy grasshoppers migrate in and if there are no infected grasshoppers around for them to feed on the population will remain unchecked.

Can only be shipped to the following states: AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, IL, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, WY. Pesticide I.D.# is required for CA commercial growers. 

10 lb:     $64.95