The dreaded infestation of the armyworm has arrived. Every year these pests eat our lawn and our trees. They are a green striped caterpillar. The armyworm gets its name because they travel in massive armies, eating everything in their path. They can destroy a lawn in a single day.
Management: What to Look for and what to do
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They feed mostly at night but are still very active during the day. Watch for brown spots in your lawn, an increase in bird activity around your property is a sure signal.
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Scout your neighbor’s properties around you. If you see their lawns are brown check them out as they are heading your way.
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Keep your grass trimmed short at this time of year. They are looking for the taller grass and the short tight yards are not as inviting to them.
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Water your lawn regularly. They prefer a dry long lawn rather than a short wet lawn.
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Use of insecticide will kill them once you see them. Back pack or pump up sprayer of many different insecticides will work just fine. Any Spinosad or permethrin are good. I like Malathion but many different ones will work. Do not use a granulated as it is to slow and army worms will have destroyed and left by time the granulated works.
- Spray the immediately when you see them. Don’t wait until the next day. You might wake up to no grass at all. Try not mowing for 2-3 days after you spray so as to make sure you have killed them all.
