LOCUSTS may be expected to hatch earlier this year but autumn weather conditions and control work have reduced populations.

A warm July-August forced the Australian Plague Locust Commission to revise hatching dates but according to director Chris Adriaansen a repeat of last year's widespread hatchings were unlikely.

He said a combination of control work and weather during autumn had lead to smaller populations across Victoria.

The latest forecast suggests hatchings in South Australia next month.

Victorians can expect hatchings during October.

Yarrawonga-Echuca and Bendigo-Boort are forecast to see hatchings in the middle of the month while Horsham-St Arnaud and Stawell-Ararat landholders can expect hatchings at the end of the month.

Further south, landholders in Hamilton-Lake Bolac can expect hatchings early November.

The update states NSW had sporadic high density egg laying in the Savernake-Oaklands areas of the Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority last season which may lead to localised high density nymphs and some bands in October.

"We are not anticipating the widespread hatchings we saw in Victoria last year during October and November. The start of the season will be quite isolated," he said.

He said pockets in Victoria's west and north west could contain hotspots but he urged landowners to start "seriously looking around" their properties in about two months and report sightings and start control work.