Those little green insects you see are crickets. If you hear one on a summer evening, know they chirp in time with the air temperature. So just count how many chirps they do in 25 seconds. Divide by 3 and add 4, and it gives you the correct Celsius temperature!
Grasshoppers and crickets are indeed related, and we have 23 species in the UK (including 11 species of grasshopper alone – the most common garden and meadow grasshoppers can be heard chirping, and create a ‘song’ for females by rubbing their hind legs against their wings. The female then ‘listens’ with ears in her tummy!
These herbivorous insects are eaten by birds. If you wish to humanely deter them, garden organically, solve humidity issues ((crickets and grasshoppers love moisture) and turn off unwanted porch lights (switch to amber-hued LED lights, for less chance of them gathering around the light).
One of the world’s ancient group of insects hatch from eggs and become ‘hoppers’ within months. They use sound for courtship and that’s why you often hear them calling all hours of the night (usually at dusk). Most grasshoppers can fly (the meadow grasshopper can’t).
England also has 3 species of groundhoppers, good swimmers that are more likely to be found near water (ponds, streams etc). Or where there is less grassy areas. Again most species can fly (apart from the common groundhopper). They mostly live on moss and algae. The Wildlife Trusts has a good visual guide to know your grasshoppers, groundhoppers and crickets.
The best way to help all species is simply leaving organic gardens, to provide wildlife corridors. Planting native plants and trees is far better than fashionable non-native species. If gardening alongside animal friends, read more on how to make your garden safe for pets.
