Mormon Crickets Are Unusually Intense This Summer in Idaho

I love to fill my Idaho summers with camping trips, scenic hikes, and afternoons at the lake. But this year, summer has brought something less welcome to eastern and southern Idaho: Mormon crickets. In fact, 2026 has brought one of the worst infestations in more than 100 years, with swarms covering roads, fields, and entire landscapes. While summer weather in Idaho invites you to spend time outdoors, depending on where you go, you may find yourself sharing your adventure with hundreds of uninvited visitors.

Why Mormon Cricket Infestations Are Happening in Idaho

Mormon Crickets are technically not true crickets, but are shield-backed katydids that have a reddish-brown color. These insects do not fly but rather hop and walk, and despite their small size, can travel more than one mile every day and migrate dozens of miles throughout a summer. They live in sagebrush-covered rangeland—the type of landscape you'll find in southern Idaho.

Female Mormon crickets lay hundreds of eggs in the soil each summer. These eggs slowly develop in the fall months and then enter dormancy in the winter. While some eggs can hatch in the spring, others can lie dormant for more than a decade in the soil. Warm, dry winters and springs are ideal conditions for these eggs to hatch, creating massive infestations like the ones we are currently seeing in eastern and southern Idaho.

What Are the Dangers of Mormon Cricket Infestations?

While the sight of these Mormon cricket infestations is enough to make your skin crawl, these small insects can leave a trail of destruction everywhere they go, particularly in fields of alfalfa, grass, barley, etc. They are known to eat hundreds of plant species, and a swarm can completely strip an area of all vegetation.

Additionally, large swarms of Mormon crickets can cover roads and sidewalks, and as they are crushed by vehicles, they create slippery road conditions. These crushed insects make the road feel like driving on ice, creating unsafe conditions. And the swarms can keep individuals indoors as they can cover homes, yards, parks, sidewalks, etc.

Fortunately, to help control the swarms this year, both state and federal agencies are using targeted chemical baits to control the infestations, reduce swarm sizes, and protect outdoor spaces, roadways, and crops.

What Travelers Should Expect

The Mormon cricket infestation this summer is primarily impacting eastern and southern Idaho, as well as surrounding states. You will see the biggest swarms in rural areas, including on highways and trails. If visiting and coming across these swarms in a vehicle, you should treat the road as if you are driving on icy road conditions—avoid sudden braking, go slowly, etc.

If you are camping or hiking and come across a swarm, do not fear these creatures. They do not bite or sting—they are more of a nuisance than anything. If visiting outdoor destinations in southern or eastern Idaho, it is best to visit official webpages or social media pages for any information on potential swarms in the area.

Don't let the sight of the Mormon cricket infestation in Idaho ruin your summer fun. If you are looking for adventures this year, check out our ultimate warm-weather bucket list for the Gem State. You may also want to consider this summer road trip route in southeastern Idaho—just watch out for the Mormon crickets.