Armyworms are a type of caterpillar that can cause significant damage to lawns. They are most active in the spring and fall, and they feed on the leaves of grass plants. Armyworms can quickly defoliate a lawn, leaving it brown and patchy.
Armyworms have been a problem in Kansas City in recent years. In 2020, the city’s parks and recreation department reported that they had damaged over 1,000 acres of turf. Some of our customers and technicians have spotted both live armyworms and damage from actively feeding armyworms.
What type of damage should you look for?
It can be hard to tell if you have an armyworm infestation or some other late summer lawn problem. One telltale sign of armyworm damage is a sudden, widespread, and patchy decline in a lawn. Many times, the damage follows no path or discernable pattern. The worms prefer certain grass cultivars over others, even in the same lawn type, so the damage looks unique.
You can find the caterpillars if you get down and look for them. During the day, they will likely be down under the canopy of your lawn, seeking cooler shade. In the mornings and evenings or on cooler cloudy days, you might see them climbing the blades of grass, munching their way down to the crown. You can mix 1 gallon of water with one tablespoon of mild dish soap, dump that on 1 square foot of your lawn, and if the caterpillars are present, they will rise to the top of the water.
What do I do if I think I have armyworm damage?
If you think you may have armyworm damage, but don’t feel comfortable diagnosing or treating for them on your own, give Custom Lawn & Landscape a call at (913) 782-8315
The best way to control armyworms is to apply a pesticide. However, it is important to use a pesticide labeled explicitly for armyworms. Some pesticides that are not labeled for armyworms can harm the grass. One treatment in mid-August should be enough to keep the armyworms at bay for the season unless the weather stays warm late into October. If the weather stays warm, another treatment might be recommended.
Contact your lawn care technician if you think your lawn may have armyworms. We can identify armyworms and recommend the best course of treatment.
Here are some tips for preventing armyworm damage:
- Keep your lawn mowed at the proper height.
- Water your lawn regularly.
- Use all seven applications of our Custom Green Lawn Program.
- Add Custom Lawn’s Home Insect Program!
If you see armyworms on your lawn, you should take action immediately. The sooner you treat the armyworms, the less damage they will do to your lawn. Call the office at (913) 782-8315 to get scheduled for a lawn treatment ASAP.
