The little historic town of Elko, self-described as “the heart of northeast Nevada” and known for its rich Basque history, is making news of an entirely different kind this summer. It’s an invasion. No, not aliens. It is an invasion of Mormon crickets in Nevada that has Elko residents quite frustrated. 

Females Mormon Crickets (which are not actually crickets at all) in their green form known as “Anabrus simplex,” lay their eggs inch-deep in the soil, a process known as ovipositing. Tens of thousands of these eggs started hatching around the end of May.
xpda, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Mature Mormon crickets take on a reddish color and grow to as long as two inches and they travel in huge groups that can be as large as hundreds of acres!
Utahcamera at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Massive swarms of crickets are now plaguing Elko and other parts of northern Nevada. They have covered roads to the point where the Nevada Department of Transportation has had to use snowplows to try to clear them.
ABC News / YouTube
Authorities even warn of slick road conditions because when the bugs are squashed, it is like an oil slick - enough to cause a serious loss of traction - and some drivers have found themselves sliding off the road.
ABC News / YouTube
Locals say that killing these plump insects results in a repulsive smell that can only be likened to burning flesh.

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The swarms are everywhere - on sidewalks, roads, bushes, and even on the walls of homes.
ABC News / YouTube
Residents have resorted to using blowers, vacuums, and even power washing equipment to try to rid themselves of these pervasive pests, but they keep coming back.
ABC News / YouTube
Mormon crickets eat anything in their path which results in the widespread destruction of local crops and vegetation.
ABC News / YouTube
Outbreaks of these crickets happen in 4 to 6-year cycles, separated by periods of dormancy which can reportedly last up to 11 years. Apparently, a lack of rain can trigger the eggs to “wake up” and hatch all at once.
ABC News / YouTube

Want to see these invaders for yourself? Take a look at this video report:

 

Experts say that the areas of Nevada (such as Elko) and Idaho may have to deal with these critters for years until they are subdued by predators, but the majority are expected to die off toward the end of summer. Did you know about these cyclical invasions of Mormon crickets in Nevada? Have you ever seen them? If you are in an affected area, it may be high time for a little getaway, and we have plenty of road trip ideas for you! Make sure you have your road trip snacks, grab the keys, and take a welcome break. 

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