Should I be worried about lawn moths?
Lawn moths are small, beige or grayish insects with a wingspan of about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. They are most active during the evening and night, often seen flying just above the grass to lay eggs. Their life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larval stage is the most damaging to your lawn. An abundance of lawn moths can indicate potential damage in late summer or early fall.
Sod Webworm
Sod webworms are known for causing substantial damage to lawns. As the larval stage of lawn moths, they have a ravenous appetite for grass, causing unsightly brown patches. After hatching in late summer and early fall, sod webworms feed on grass leaves and stems. These cream-colored larvae with dark spots can grow up to 3/4 inch long. They build silk-lined tunnels in the thatch layer of lawns, where they hide during the day and feed on grass blades at night.
Several signs indicate a webworm infestation. The most noticeable sign is irregular, brown patches of grass that appear suddenly, especially during hot, dry weather. These patches do not green up despite watering and can be easily pulled up like carpet. Additionally, an increase in birds pecking at the ground may signal the presence of sod webworms.
Sod Webworm Prevention
If you notice these moths in your lawn during the summer, it is recommended to apply a sod webworm preventative to protect your lawn from damage. You can purchase products from home and garden stores or schedule a preventative treatment with us. Lawns can experience sod webworm infestations for multiple years, so if you’ve had issues in the past, applying a preventative in the summer is highly suggested to avoid damage.
After Lawn Doctor applies a preventative, we guarantee it. If a sod webworm breakthrough occurs, we will retreat to ensure the problem is resolved.
