Treehopper Control: How To Get Rid of Treehoppers

This page is a general Treehopper control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you will get control of Treehoppers. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of Treehoppers.

Treehoppers are a sap-sucking insect that gets its name from its affinity for bouncing from plant to plant. While they relatively pose little harm to gardens, an outbreak of treehoppers invading your lawn can be annoying.

Treehoppers are a minor nuisance. They feed on sap and cause small injury to stems of plants but usually do not cause enough to cause plants to die. The honeydew they produce might lead to the development of mold in your plants which might make them look unsightly.

Planting species of plants that Treehoppers tend to choose to host on might invite an infestation. Females cut into the bark of these trees, and adults and nymphs feed on the sap of plant tissues.

If you are dealing with an infestation of Treehoppers, our DIY guide below will help. Continue reading to find expert guidance and professional product recommendations designed to wipe them out of your garden.

Identification

Before you can proceed with treatment, you need to make absolutely sure you’re dealing with Treehoppers. Thankfully, due to their strange appearance, they are easy to identify. 

Treehoppers are small insects usually half an inch in length. They have six legs, big eyes and a shield-like pronotum that can vary in shape, from horns to knobs or even bizarre shapes hardly seen in nature. Their color could vary greatly from green, white, bluish-black, or even have spotted patterns.

The most outstanding trait of the Treehopper is what earns them their name. They have a tendency to jump or hop from tree to tree--as high as 2 feet--when they feel threatened or are startled. 

Use the description and image above to properly identify Treehoppers in your yard. If you are not entirely sure, contact us and we will try to assist you with correct identification.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that you have Treehoppers, you can then move forward with an inspection. You should look for areas where the Treehoppers are concentrated and gauge how severe of an infestation you have.

Where To Inspect

Infestations indoors are unlikely since they need host plants to survive, so focus your search on your young plants, bushes, and trees. Inspect the following species of trees: maple, apple, cottonwood, dogwood, poplar, willow, grapes, roses, oak, and ornamental plants.

What To Look For

You’re looking for Treehoppers and any damage caused by their sap-sucking. They might prove elusive but in heavy infestations, Treehopper nymphs can be found clumped near the stems. Search around every plant around your property. If you have identified host plants and found Treehoppers, this is where you will apply treatment.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed Treehopper activity it is time to begin treatment. Remember to first read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

The product we recommend to treat for Treehoppers is Supreme IT. Supreme IT will kill the infestation quickly and delivers a long-time residual effect that will keep on killing long after application.

Step 1 - Mix Supreme IT In a Sprayer

Determine how much Supreme IT you will need to mix by first calculating the square footage of your yard. To do this, measure and multiply the area length times the width (length x width = square footage). The application rate to treat Treehoppers is 0.25 to 0.5 oz. per gallon to treat 1,000 sq. ft. So for example, if you have a 3,000 sq. ft. lawn to treat, you will need to mix 0.75 to 1.5 oz. of Supreme IT in 3 gallons of water.

Load up a handpump sprayer with the appropriate amount of water and Supreme IT based on your calculations. Start by filling halfway with the required amount of water, then add the Supreme, followed by the remaining half of water. Close the sprayer lid and agitate to ensure the product is well-mixed.

Step 2 - Apply The Supreme IT

Outdoors, spray the Supreme IT around areas where Treehoppers have been gathering using a fan nozzle spray setting for even coverage. Apply using low to medium pressure and spray surfaces to the point of wet, not runoff. Apply your Supreme IT solution to garden plants, trees, bushes, and mulch beds. Be sure to apply on calm days when rain is not in the immediate forecast.

Prevention

No treatment plan is complete without preventative measures. Since Treehoppers are only a minor nuisance we recommend spraying and performing quarterly treatments of Supreme IT from July to the end of October when they are most active. Also, avoid planting species of trees that Treehoppers are attracted to as it will reduce the likelihood of finding them in your yard.

Key Takeaways

• Treehoppers are a sap-sucking insect found in yards and gardens on trees and bushes.
• We recommend applying Supreme IT Insecticide to deal with any infestations of Treehopper.
• To prevent Treehoppers, Supreme IT Insecticide treatments should occur from July to the end of October the season when they are most active. Avoid planting species of trees that might attract Treehoppers.