Grasshoppers Galore - KAUZ-TV: Newschannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TX

It's mating season right now, but that's not the only reason why the insects seem to be out of control.

Grasshoppers are invading Texoma eating everything in sight. Val McClain, Clay County resident, said, "I think the worse damage we've had is to our big oak tree. I've seen it stripped of its leaves from grasshoppers."

Smith's Gardentown said customers are coming in every week asking how they can kill grasshoppers, before they do major damage to plants. Garden experts said you have two options, a liquid spray that will kill them, or you can spray actual seeds near trees. Experts said the seeds will get absorbed into the tree and kill the grasshoppers when they eat the leaves.

Greg Pollock, Smith's Gardentown Farms employee, said, "If you see grasshoppers it's a good idea to go ahead and take precautions." Pollock added, "If a lot of them come it's only going to be a matter of days before they destroy it all."

Val and Danny McClain know the damage grasshoppers can cause all too well. Danny said, "They eat the trees up and they eat all the grass. They will just destroy a pasture."

Grasshoppers are jumping all over the McClain's property eating everything in sight. "Any grass or tree leaves, they will get to them." Danny added, "When they are hungry they just eat everything in sight."

Grasshopper season really peaks during the summer months. Experts said they should start to die off at the end of August.

Natalie Garcia,  Newschannel 6