Sasha CampbellThese plant feeders can cause a big problem for gardeners. Leafhoppers are small, wedge-shaped insects that feed on plant sap and can damage many garden plants.
They are abundant worldwide [1]. Both wingless nymphs and winged adults are sap-sucking insect pests.
Leafhopper damage may result in yellowing and stippling of foliage, as well as leaf curl. Some species can also spread plant diseases such as curly top virus, making early control especially important [2].
Leafhoppers commonly attack beans, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, apples, and many ornamental plants.
How to Get Rid of Leafhoppers Naturally
These are some of the best home remedies and natural solutions that you can try.
1. Row Covers
One of the best natural methods to keep away leafhoppers and other insects is to use floating row covers. They provide excellent protection against leafhoppers and other insect pests.
However, the material still allows sunlight, air, and water to reach the plants.
Put the covers on before the plants flower and remove them to let pollinators in once the flowering period begins.
This method works particularly well in the vegetable garden.
2. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
DE is composed of the fossilized remains of minute aquatic organisms. Its fine particles damage the insects’ protective outer coating, causing them to dehydrate.
You can easily sprinkle it on and around your plants. However, you will need to reapply after rain showers or watering.
You can also apply it to lawns, flower beds, fruit trees, and bushes.
Furthermore, you can use DE to make a homemade leafhopper spray. Just combine 5 tablespoons of it with a gallon of water and coat your plants. Once the water dries, the remaining powder may help control nymphs that crawl through it.
3. Beneficial Insects
This natural form of insect control is one of the most important aspects of organic gardening.
Some insects are predatory. They feed on eggs, nymphs, and even adult leafhoppers.
Leafhopper predators include ladybugs, lacewings, minute pirate bugs, and damsel bugs. Some parasitic wasps also parasitize leafhopper eggs [2].
Moreover, you can purchase some of these beneficial insects from reputable online stores such as Arbico.
4. Garden Clean-Up
An excellent home remedy to keep leafhoppers (also called jassids in some regions) and other insect pests at bay is to thoroughly clean your garden.
Keeping the garden clear of trash, dead plants, and debris will help prevent leafhoppers from overwintering. A good cleanup after harvest time in the fall is good gardening practice.
5. Destroy Infected Plants
A bad leafhopper infestation may require drastic action. Removing heavily infested plants may help save the rest of the crop.
Leafhopper damage can harm mature plants. Heavy feeding may weaken plants and increase the risk of disease transmission.
To help prevent the infestation or disease from spreading to other plants, carefully remove the infected plants. Next, dispose of them away from your garden.
Additionally, remove any pots (containers) that the plants have been growing in. Wash and disinfect them before using them again.
6. Sticky Traps
This is a simple way to attract and kill leafhoppers and other garden pests. You can buy these traps online or at local garden centers.
You can also make a DIY leafhopper trap. Just get pieces of cardboard and coat them with a sticky substance like non-drying glue or molasses.
Different colors seem to attract different pests, but yellow is generally the best. Place sticky traps near susceptible plants or throughout the garden.
7. Insecticidal Soap
Spray your plants with an insecticidal soap, such as Bonide, during a heavy infestation.
Cover the leaves and stems completely (including the undersides of the leaves). Additionally, apply the solution around the plant bases.
Use this organic leafhopper control spray as a preventative measure or as soon as the first pests arrive. Repeat until the infestation clears up.
Spray in the early morning or evening and avoid spraying during extreme heat.
8. Control Weeds
Leafhopper insects feed on a variety of plants. These include shrubs like rosemary, fruit trees, flowers, vegetable plants, and even weeds.
Therefore, keeping the garden free of weeds can help reduce leafhopper populations.
9. Molt-X
This product is an organic knockdown spray for leafhoppers and other pests.
The active ingredient is azadirachtin, a natural compound derived from neem trees. It disrupts the feeding and development of insects, making it a powerful tool against pests.
Molt-X helps control leafhoppers by disrupting feeding and development throughout their life cycle. Slow-acting, this insecticide eventually kills leafhoppers and helps prevent infestations.
Use according to the manufacturer’s recommendations as a foliar spray or soil drench. Furthermore, Molt-X breaks down relatively quickly in the environment when used as directed.
10. Monterey Take Down Spray
This is another commercial knockdown spray that kills on contact. Moreover, it is safe to use on food crops up to a day before harvest.
This leafhopper treatment is effective against nymphs and adults and may help reduce egg populations. Monterey Take Down is a pyrethrin-based spray.
Avoid spraying open flowers or applying the product when pollinators are active.
Additionally, it contains canola oil. This ingredient helps coat and smother soft-bodied pests.
11. Neem Oil
Neem oil has multiple benefits as an insecticide and a fungicide. The oil controls a host of insect pests by reducing feeding. It also acts as a repellent for some garden pests.
It works great for controlling pest problems in vegetable patches, flower beds, and fruit trees.
Does neem oil kill leafhoppers? It may not kill the adults, but it works well on leafhopper eggs and nymphs.
As a concentrate, mix 1 to 2 ounces per gallon of water and spray all plant surfaces.
Signs of Leafhopper Damage
- Yellow or white stippling on leaves
- Curling foliage
- Leaf browning (“hopperburn”)
- Stunted growth
- Tiny jumping insects when disturbed
Takeaway
Leafhoppers are found throughout the world. These organic methods, applied carefully, can effectively rid the garden of these pests and others.
Early detection and consistent treatment are key to controlling leafhoppers naturally. Combining several organic methods often works better than relying on a single solution.
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