Nolo Bait™

GrasshoppersNolo Bait™ is an EPA registered biological control for grasshoppers, including Mormon crickets. Nolo Bait™ contains naturally occurring Nosema locustae spores. These spores are uniformly applied to flaky wheat bran at a rate of at least 1 billion spores per pound of bran. The bran is consumed by the grasshoppers and they become infected with the spores. Young grasshoppers that consume the bait will die more quickly than older stages. As Nosema locustae builds up in the gut of heavily infected grasshoppers the insects become lethargic and reduce their feeding. Infected grasshoppers are seen by healthy grasshoppers as additional food sources and are cannibalized. This natural behavior further spreads Nosema locustae throughout the grasshopper population. Additionally, infected females can pass the spores through the egg-laying process. The progression and persistence of this organism provides long-term benefit to the landowner without environmental damage.

For more in-depth information about Nolo Bait™ please follow the links listed below:

Applying Nolo Bait™

How can I tell if Nolo Bait™ is working?

How fast does Nolo Bait™ work?

How should I store my Nolo Bait™ if necessary?

Large Acreage Applications

For Lawn and Garden

Nolo Bait™ - Frequently Asked Questions




Applying Nolo Bait™


Nolo Bait™ should be applied at a minimum rate of 1 pound per acre per application. This rate is based on a density of 8 or fewer grasshoppers per square yard. Increased rates and multiple applications are necessary where grasshopper populations are heavier. Best coverage applications should begin with the spring hatch and continue throughout the season until the majority of the population begins reaching adulthood. Nolo Bait™ is best used within 13 weeks from the date of formulation.

How should I apply Nolo Bait™?
Nolo Bait™ is a dry, flaky wheat bran bait. Any dry spreader such as a “Whirly Bird” can be used or it can easily be applied by hand.
Flower and Grasshopper
Where should I apply Nolo Bait™?
Apply Nolo Bait™ along the perimeter of your yard or property, anywhere there is tall growth and along weedy ditch banks. If possible, let the plants at the outer margins of your yard grow taller and apply the bait there. This may reduce the number of grasshoppers migrating into your yard/garden area. In gardens or flowerbeds it is best to make bait stations to hold the bait and/or to spread the bait beneath and between the plants. This will help you to avoid drawing additional grasshoppers into the area while allowing those already present to feed on it. Bait stations can be made from anything that will protect the bait from rain and sun. Bait stations can be placed in the shade of the plants on the ground. Keeping these bait stations available will entice grasshoppers to fill up on bait rather than plant material.

When should I apply Nolo Bait™?
Morning is best as grasshoppers will do most of their feeding in the morning but late afternoon is good too. Though you may see them around, grasshoppers don’t feed as heavily during the heat of the day. Avoid applying Nolo Bait™ when rain is forecast within the next 4-6 hours or if heavy dew is still present on the grass.

How much Nolo Bait™ should I put out and how often?
The minimum application rate is 1 pound per acre, per application. This is based on grasshopper densities of 8 or fewer grasshoppers per square yard. Nolo Bait™ can be applied as often as every few days to once a week and targeted in areas of heaviest grasshopper infestation. Consumption of a higher number of spores per grasshopper will increase efficacy and decrease the amount of time required to kill the grasshoppers. Therefore, where faster population reduction is required, this may be achieved through multiple applications or a higher application rate in order to increase the amount of bait available to each grasshopper.

Back to Top


How can I tell if Nolo Bait™ is working?


In the very young, grasshoppers death may occur within 1-3 weeks. Once grasshoppers reach the third instar stage of growth they have developed enough body mass to allow more spore infection. When populations are not extreme, visual symptoms of an infection are more easily seen. When densities are heavy, infected grasshoppers are easily camouflaged by mass numbers of moving bodies. Sick and infected grasshoppers will stay low or on the ground under plants and hidden from sight, or are quickly consumed by other grasshoppers and predators. Heavily infected ‘hoppers will be slower to hop and may fall over upon landing. Often they are reluctant to hop at all. Their eyes become cloudy instead of dark brown and the abdomens of sick hoppers will become whiter as well. Dead, partially cannibalized grasshoppers may be found clinging to plant stalks. New hatchlings that ingested the bait die more quickly and are rarely seen as they are readily consumed by other grasshoppers, insects, birds and reptiles. Due to the nature of this product (i.e. microsporidial pathogen), efficacy may be affected by such factors as weather, grasshopper population densities and insect migration.

Back to Top


How fast does Nolo Bait™ work?


Killing grasshoppers quickly does not always offer the greatest benefit when using Nolo Bait™. The youngest grasshoppers will die most quickly, usually within 3 weeks of eating it. Buildup and transfer of infection will continue in larger immature hoppers that don’t die as quickly. Heavily infected grasshoppers will become slow, lethargic and reduce their feeding as spore builds up inside them. Nolo Bait™ is a long-term suppression product. Infection will reduce the feeding and reproductive capabilities of the grasshoppers. In turn, these grasshoppers are often cannibalized by healthy ‘hoppers that have migrated in and Nosema locustae spores continue to spread through the population. Successive use each season will result in fewer healthy eggs being laid and fewer eggs surviving to hatch in the spring.

Back to Top


How should I store my Nolo Bait™ if necessary?


Optimal storage is 42 degrees F in a dry location. We are committed to providing you with the highest quality ingredients in our grasshopper bait, freshly formulated upon order. Our spore is regularly tested to guarantee its viability. This insures that our product will remain 100% active in cool, dry storage conditions for up to 13 weeks from the date of formulation. Thank you for choosing our product. We know you have a choice and we appreciate your business. Working together will help to protect our planet and the future of our children.

Back to Top


Large Acreage Applications

Field
Aircraft equipped with dry spreaders can apply Nolo Bait™ effectively. For other applications, any dry flowable applicator will adequately disperse the bait, providing the bait feed mechanisms can be opened sufficiently to allow the bran to flow. It may be necessary to use agitation in the hopper to avoid bridging. Spreaders that can be mounted on a pickup, tractor or ATV are also suitable for applying Nolo Bait™. Delay application of Nolo Bait™ if rain is threatening. Grasshoppers do not actively feed in cool, cloudy weather and wet bran is unattractive to the insects. Be sure to store Nolo Bait™ in a cool, dry place until use.

Back to Top


For Lawn and Garden


Hand broadcasting is suitable for small areas. Apply the bait around the perimeters of gardens, lawns and flower-beds concentrating on areas of tall growth. In gardens, placing the bait at ground level or in bait stations out of the sun and near plants will target grasshoppers in the area. This will help to avoid attracting more grasshoppers from outside the garden. Refresh bait in the stations as needed to encourage the grasshoppers to move off of valued plants to feed. Bait stations can be made from anything such as a short section of 4” diameter white pvc pipe laid horizontally on the ground with bait placed just inside each end. This will allow easy access while protecting the bait from exposure to sun and rain.

Back to Top


Nolo Bait™ Frequently Asked Questions


Is Nolo Bait™ safe to use in my organic garden?
Yes! Nolo Bait™ is NOP compliant and has the “Approved for Organic Production” symbol front and center on the label.

Is Nolo Bait™ safe to use around my home?
Yes! Nolo Bait™ is safe for use around humans, pets, birds and wildlife; it won’t contaminate environmentally sensitive areas. Extensively tested and EPA approved, Nolo Bait™ won’t harm beneficial insects, is NOP compliant and is widely approved for organic use. Nolo Bait™ is a registered trademark.

Will Nolo Bait™ hurt my dog, cat, birds or other pets?
No! The active disease organism in Nolo Bait™ is host specific to grasshoppers, some crickets, and Mormon crickets. Mormon crickets are actually a species of grasshopper. Any other non-target insect, bird, mammal or reptile that ingests the bait or eats an infected grasshopper will not be harmed. The organism will pass through their digestive system without activating.

What if my Nolo Bait™ gets wet?
Water does not harm the Nosema locustae spores but the wheat bran becomes soggy and less attractive to the grasshoppers. Avoid putting out the bait if rain is forecast.

Back to Top