Posted on April 29, 2022 by Lawn Doctor
When armyworms invade a territory, there can be destruction on your lawn. However, with the help of one of our professional Lawn Doctor technicians, you can protect your environment from destructive worms. Read through as we take you through some important facts about the armyworms.
Armyworms are pests that destroy by consuming turf grasses and other crops when food is scarce. Before turning into moths, they undergo the larva stage, becoming primary damage-causing agents. Armyworms are the larval stage of certain species of moths. Some moths also lay their eggs in clusters on plants, and when they hatch, the “armies” of worm-like caterpillars feed on grass, flowers, and other vegetation.
Armyworms are the larvae of various moths that are species of cutworms. As the name implies, they are greenish-brown in color and develop into caterpillars. They are found in several parts of the country, including the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic region. Unfortunately, these pests like to feed on grass and other plants in your yard, making them a significant threat to your lawn.
These are pest species that feed on grass and other plants. They create brown patches in your lawn as they devour plant life. These pests can survive for up to four weeks, meaning they have plenty of time to do damage if treatment is not prompt and adequate.
Some telltale signs of armyworms include small, brown patches on the lawn that appear ragged, bare areas between healthy grass and rows of holes on the lawn. Plants will appear brown and dry as if it is suffering from drought stress. Large infestations may also create visible armies of worms with green, brown, red or yellow stripes on their backs and sides. Adult armyworms are conspicuous and measure to a length of 1 ½ inches. They have dark brown patches on their front and pale gray-white wings on their back.
The best way to get rid of armyworms is to contact the Lawn Doctor for an inspection to determine if this pest has damaged your lawn. We can then apply a small fertilizer application with an insecticide to eliminate these caterpillars from your yard and encourage the grass to recover. This solution is safe for pets and people once it has dried on your property, which takes about 10 minutes.
The best way to combat armyworms is by keeping your lawn healthy. This strategy will encourage beneficial insects to make your yard their home and keep armyworms from laying eggs or feeding there. If it looks like your property has armyworm infestations, there are some things you can do to kill them.
Try natural sprays like those made from neem oil or Spinosad, which contains naturally occurring bacteria. These sprays are designed for caterpillars and will be effective against armyworms. These natural sprays, such as Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT), come from bacteria naturally in soil. It kills armyworms by dissolving their stomachs.
You can get rid of armyworms by handpicking them from your yard and then dropping them into a bucket filled with soapy water. However, this isn’t always practical when dealing with a large infestation. Another option is to treat your lawn with insecticides designed for armyworms specifically or other types of caterpillars.
For effective army pest control, frequent inspection of the damages caused by insects is necessary. Since they are highly destructive, there is a need for measures to counter them through a professional. Note you need consultancy and a product label with customized instructions on application methods and the methods of control.
Thanks to natural predators such as birds and armyworm outbreaks can be kept in check. Therefore, such a plan is effective in complementing the armyworm control mechanisms. However, if you have to use this method, you must ensure that the predators do not come into contact with the pesticides.
Whenever you interrupt the lifecycle of the armyworms, it becomes easier to control their spread. Targeting the larvae is best effective when during the early spring. Hence, you can cause their larvae to shift to the leaves’ undersides. You may then proceed to put the worms in buckets of soapy water.
Experts may use natural predators such as ladybugs, minute pirate bugs, and lacewings. Such are those that help assist in the destruction of armyworm eggs at the critical larval stages that assist in the pest control procedures.
This process includes using the wasps as agents that monitor the female moths intending to help destroy eggs before they hatch. The wasps lay their eggs in the natural habitat where armyworm larvae grow. The wasps eliminate the armyworms before they mature as natural enemies in the long run.
Armyworms are attracted to food sources and moisture, which makes your lawn an ideal breeding ground. They typically feed on species such as bluegrass, Bermuda grass, and fescue as well as tree foliage.
During mating season, female armyworms emit pheromones that help attract male armyworms. After they mate, the females usually lay their eggs in thick grass or weeds.
To prevent an armyworm infestation, cut your grass to its recommended height regularly, and keep weeds under control. This may help prevent the adults from laying eggs on your lawn. You can also treat your lawn with an over-the-counter insecticide or consult with a pest control specialist.
The following are among the various questions and concerns that we come across during the armyworm control management process:
Controlling armyworm infestation is still tedious and takes time to manage correctly. You need the active ingredient in the pesticides to be administered within the three months lifecycle. Treating the entire lawn is the best approach when the insect is identified and is causing damage. If you hold off too long they’ll reproduce and become hard to control.
During summer, treating armyworms is best done using liquid or granular insecticides when the armyworms are active. However, contrary to the expectations of many, lawns require multiple treatments and not a single application of control products.
Contrary to the concerns of many, armyworms have no permanent damage to plants in their adult stage. However, their larva stages may cause significant damage to corns. Therefore, ensure that their spread is regulated.
Armyworms tend to be most active during late summer and early fall, and infestations are often reported in July and August. Peak damage typically occurs between August and October. The best time to treat the affected areas is late afternoon when the armyworms are most active.
Armyworms grow in between 5 and 10 generations. Therefore, it’s important to constantly regulate their population. A professional lawn doctor can help you do that. Furthermore, to reduce the risks of environmental pollution, you need to use natural methods of armyworm control. For concerns on armyworm infestation and solutions, reach out to us and get expert advice.
Contact Lawn Doctor to help care for your lawn when you can’t.
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