07/10/08 Mormon cricket infestations

There are a couple of trouble spots this year for Mormon cricket infestations in Idaho. Idaho Department of Agriculture's Dick Lawson says the crickets infested the Mann Creek and Adams Creek drainages in Washington and Adams counties after hatching three weeks later than normal because of the cool spring. LAWSON "They basically have moved east and south down towards Mann Creek Reservoir and out of there going towards Midvale." Two years ago the Mormon crickets were found on the eastern slopes of Owyhee County near Oreana and Grandview. Last year they infested the western side of slopes near the Oregon border and this year a different area. LAWSON "Northern Owyhee County and it's basically from Marsing to Givens Hot Springs and then in the northern part of Highway 95 in north Owyhee County and some by Melba." . Lawson says they've only distributed about 20 to 25 percent of the poison bait this year compared to last and he attributes that to the cool April and May. He says Mormon cricket activity will soon end and grasshopper problems will begin, again later than normal this year. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott