Locust invasion food fest for Baha

Swarms of locusts have invaded several farms in the southern region of Baha. Many people in the region, however, used the opportunity to collect them to eat or sell to others.
Residents said there were far fewer locusts this year because of the Ministry of Agriculture spraying insecticides in the region, especially in Qelwa principality.
“We will continue our campaign against locusts considering their negative impact on farms and beehives,” said Saeed bin Jarallah Al-Ghamdi, director general of the agriculture department in the region. Many people in Baha and other parts of Saudi Arabia consider locusts a delicacy. People sell them for SR200 to SR500 a bag.
Many people believe that it is a cure for many diseases such as rheumatism, back pain, pediatric hormone growth deficiency, diabetes and colon problems, and can strengthen the immune system.
Doctors have warned people not to eat locusts because they are poisoned with toxic insecticides. Some elderly people here said they ate dried locusts for decades for their iftar and suhoor meals during Ramadan.
The ministry said it has formed teams to monitor the movement of locusts. “The most threatened regions are Riyadh, Qassim, Tabuk, Madinah and Hail,” said a ministry official.
One report said the locusts attacked a local house to seek refuge from planes spraying the area to destroy the insects and save crop.
The house owner said he called authorities for help after thousands of locusts occupied a part of his house.
The Sabq website carried a YouTube film shot by a Bisha resident showing a large number of locusts inside his house.