September 6th, 2026Prepare now for spring plague locust hatchings
The risk of plague locusts has increased across Victoria due to favourable autumn and winter conditions, more egg laying, and high locust numbers in New South Wales and South Australia. Egg hatching is expected to occur sooner than originally predicted.
The risk of plague locusts has increased across Victoria due to favourable autumn and winter conditions, more egg laying, and high locust numbers in New South Wales and South Australia. Egg hatching is expected to occur sooner than originally predicted.
Wimmera: low to moderate chance of high locust numbers in spring, with hatching expected from late September.
Mallee: moderate to high chance of high locust numbers in spring, with hatching expected from mid-September.
Now is the time to prepare:
- check paddocks, roadsides and bare or lightly grassed areas for egg beds
- learn what young locusts look like
- get your chemical and management plans ready.
Spraying is most effective about 2 weeks after hatching, when young locusts can’t fly and start to band together.
See locusts? Report them to us. Early reporting helps track locust movements and supports timely management responses.
