What Are Fall Armyworms & How to Get Rid of Them

 

Imagine this: You wake up, prep your morning coffee, glance out the kitchen window to admire your well kept lawn—and bam! It’s all gone. Where there was once a beautiful stretch of green grass there's now an ugly patch of brown. Unfortunately, if you’re facing fall armyworms, this nightmare could potentially become your reality. 

WHAT ARE FALL ARMYWORMS?

Especially problematic in the South, fall armyworms are the larvae of a small brown moth that lays its eggs in grass, crops and other greenery. Once hatched, these small green caterpillars begin feeding on nearby plant life, and can devastate lawns and fields of crops in days, sometimes hours depending on the size of the armyworm population. Unfortunately for your yard, these populations can get out of hand fast, as female moths can lay up to 2,000 eggs in a single night. Once matured, these caterpillars change appearance, going from green to brown with white lines running along the side of their bodies. Because several damaging species go by the popular name armyworm, if you spot caterpillars in your yard, regardless of appearance, you should act fast to preserve the health of your yard.

Here are 6 non-toxic approaches to tackling these nasty pests:

1. MOW & WATER REGULARLY

For whatever reason, armyworms tend to avoid moist lawns with shorter grass. Keeping your lawn a little shorter throughout fall, and watering soon after each mowing session, can help prevent an armyworm population from flourishing in your yard. 

2. TRICHOGRAMMA WASPS

These tiny wasps have a long history of use in natural pest control because they attack the eggs of many damaging bugs, including armyworms. This approach works best in the early stages of an armyworm issue, as this method will address armyworm eggs only, not recently hatched or mature caterpillars. Green lacewings and ladybugs are also effective. You can pick up Trichogramma wasps at your local garden supply shop or simply order them online.

3. INVITE BIRDS TO YOUR YARD

If your yard has never been the victim of armyworms, chances are natural predators like birds are to thank. Which means If you’re currently struggling with armyworms, you can help alleviate the situation by inviting these predators back into your lawn.

Bird feeders and bird baths are the most obvious choices and tend to work wonders. This natural approach can be a real time saver and is usually quite effective, given that birds target both the armyworm moth and the subsequent caterpillars. However, if you tend to struggle with mosquitoes each year, adding additional water sources to your yard might not be the right solution for you. 

4. NATURALLY-SOURCED OUTDOOR PESTICIDES

Naturally-sourced outdoor pesticides can be a big help when it comes to preventing and reducing armyworms. You see, if your yard is already full of other damaging bugs, the health of your grass and other greenery is going to suffer. And the less healthy your lawn, the more likely you are to be targeted by hungry armyworm populations. For best results, apply twice the first month, two weeks apart, and just monthly after that until temperatures drop back into the low 40s. Then start back up at the earliest signs of spring.

 

Cedarcide Bug-Free Lawn Kit 

5. BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS

This bacterium is a popular and eco-friendly way of naturally ridding your lawn of armyworms. Typically applied to yards as a spray, bacillus thuringiensis works by paralyzing the armyworm digestive system, eventually killing them via starvation. Best of all, this bacterium is not harmful to beneficial insects, humans, pets or other wildlife. This method works best when used in the early stages of an armyworm problem, when the caterpillars are small, green and immature. Bacillus thuringiensis can be purchased from local gardening stores and countless vendors online.

 

6. BENEFICIAL NEMATODES

One of the most popular biological pesticides, beneficial nematodes work to combat dozens of unwanted pests. After applied to the yard, these near microscopic roundworms parasitize armyworms and armyworm eggs without affecting humans, plants or beneficial insects.

Jonathan Patrick