All articles tagged with #mormon crickets
Authorities in Nevada are warning drivers to be cautious after a mixture of rain and crushed Mormon crickets created a slippery muck on roads, causing several crashes involving semi-trucks on Interstate 80. No serious injuries were reported, but the slick conditions have made roadways extremely hazardous. The crickets, which have been swarming towns and affecting activities, are part of a natural cycle triggered by drought conditions.
Northern Nevada roads are being blanketed by "Mormon cricket sludge," causing multiple crashes due to slick conditions and a foul stench. The flightless katydids, resembling fat grasshoppers, are increasing in population and creating significant traffic hazards.
Millions of Mormon crickets, ground-dwelling insects native to the Western United States, have infested Elko, Nevada, causing damage to crops, soil erosion, and substantial economic losses. The crickets, which are not actually crickets but shield-backed katydids, have been surging in population since the 1990s, particularly in Nevada. Chemical deterrents do not work, and the best pest control measure is to place smooth plastic fencing around gardens. The crickets are turning homes, lawns, and sidewalks a darker shade of russet, and their remains stink like fish or dog feces.
Millions of Mormon crickets, ground-dwelling insects native to the Western United States, have infested Elko, Nevada, causing damage to crops, soil erosion, and substantial economic losses. The crickets, which are not actually crickets but shield-backed katydids, have been surging in population since the 1990s, particularly in Nevada. Chemical deterrents do not work, and the best pest control measure is to place smooth plastic fencing around gardens. The crickets are turning homes, lawns, and sidewalks a darker shade of russet, and their remains stink like fish or dog feces.
Millions of flightless insects known as Mormon crickets have descended across Nevada, alarming residents, blanketing roadways and buildings, and fueling nightmares. The insects are not biologically crickets but technically large shield-backed katydids that closely resemble grasshoppers. Due to an unusually rainy winter, the hatchlings were delayed, resulting in a large number of insects moving across Nevada. Mormon crickets have been a thorn in the side of farmers in the American west for more than a century, and Western states have spent millions of dollars on suppression.
Colette and Mike Reynolds woke up to find their home in Elko, Nevada infested with thousands of Mormon crickets, which are carnivorous and cannibalistic. Despite calling an exterminator, the couple was advised to "wait it out." The crickets have taken a toll on their mental health, and Colette, who is unable to leave the house due to health complications, feels like a "prisoner in her own home." The infestation has also affected their pets, causing them to have nightmares. The crickets have invaded the entire city, and the hospital has been inundated with them. The insects usually leave in about five days, but this time they seem to be staying put.
Videos of Mormon crickets swarming Nevada homes have gone viral on TikTok. The cannibalistic bugs have blanketed roads and towns across the state, causing safety hazards and property damage. Outbreaks of the hard-shelled insects typically last four to six years and will eventually drop off as a result of natural predators. Though the bugs don’t intentionally go after humans, their slippery remains have caused a number of car accidents and instill fear in many people.
Swarms of shield-backed, short-winged katydids, commonly known as "Mormon crickets," are migrating through Elko, Nevada, covering roads and houses, causing anxiety and depression among residents. According to Jeff Knight, Nevada State Entomologist, the swarms of bugs are not uncommon, but people tend to notice them when they make their way into a town. The bugs are expected to move through in three to five days.