How to get rid of armyworms

Best armyworms treatments

There’s nothing better than stepping out into your backyard to enjoy a lush green lawn. Anyone who maintains a lawn knows how much care goes into correctly watering and caring for grass.

So it can be frustrating when a pest like armyworms comes along and destroys your hard work. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to take care of an armyworm infestation. If you catch the problem early, you can even avoid the worst of the damage to your lawn. We’ll go over how to get rid of armyworms on your lawn. This includes finding the best insecticide for armyworms and other products you need for the job.

In this article: Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Sun & Shade Mix, Monterey Worm & Caterpillar Killer Concentrate and Bayer Crop Science Complete Insect Killer for Soil & Turf

What are armyworms?

Armyworms are the larvae of certain species of moths. Armyworm moths lay their eggs in your yard. Once armyworm larvae hatch, they grow into caterpillars. At this stage, armyworms feed on leaves and grass.

There are many species of armyworms in North America. They are most prevalent in the U.S. Southeast, where the temperate winters let them survive between seasons. Armyworms are most active from early summer to late fall.

What causes armyworms?

Armyworm infestations occur when adult moths lay their eggs in or around your lawn. The moths often lay their eggs on upright structures close to food sources. So you can find armyworm eggs on solid blades of grass, yard fencing or the side of your house.

An exceptionally dry season or drought can exacerbate an armyworm outbreak. During a drought, natural predators of armyworms (such as beetles and other large insects) are in short supply, making it easier for armyworms to thrive.

Signs of an armyworm infestation

Lawn damage

The bigger the larvae grow, the more severely the armyworms damage your lawn. At full size, before they burrow into the ground to incubate, an armyworm infestation can take out your whole lawn in one night. Early in their growth, you’re more likely to spot thinning or brown patches on the lawn.

Another early sign is if you spot transparent blades of grass. Depending on the type of grass and the size of the larvae, armyworms often strip the green layer from the grass blades.

When the armyworms grow bigger, you might spot scallop-shaped bite marks on the edges of leaves.

Caterpillar excretion

Another sign that armyworms are behind your lawn troubles is the presence of their excrement. Also known as “frass,” armyworms leave behind small pellets at the base of the grass. The pellets are 0.04 to 0.08 inches long, or 1 to 2 millimeters, and green or yellow.

Visual identification of armyworms

One of the quickest ways to confirm an armyworm problem is by spotting the caterpillars in the grass. While several species affect U.S. gardens, some markings are common to all armyworms.

The body of an armyworm has white, brown, gray, yellow, green or red stripes. The heads vary in color, but most have a distinctive Y-shaped mark in white or yellow. At the later stage of their growth, armyworms measure between 1.5 to 2 inches long.

The best time to look for armyworms on your lawn is early morning or late at night since this is when they’re active.

How can you get rid of armyworms?

Bacterial treatment

The best way to control armyworms and prevent an infestation is to spot the signs early and treat your lawn while the larvae are small. If the armyworms are less than half an inch long, you can spray the grass with Bacillus thuringiensis. These harmless bacteria kill small caterpillars without damaging other small organisms in the grass.

Chemical insecticides

Bigger, mature larvae require a more potent insecticide. These are different from insect repellents you spray on your skin.

Pellet insecticides are not very effective on armyworms, so a spray format is best. Choose an insecticide containing ingredients such as bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, permethrin or lambda-cyhalothrin. If you’re unsure, select an insecticide labeled explicitly for dealing with mature armyworms.

Apply the insecticide spray early in the morning or late at night, when the armyworms are most active. Don’t water your lawn or use sprinklers for 24 hours after application, and try to avoid rainfall. Water on the lawn will dilute the insecticide and make it less effective.

What you need to buy to get rid of armyworms

Monterey Worm & Caterpillar Killer Concentrate

This organic spray is suitable for preventing armyworms and treating infestations of young, small armyworms. It’s safe for other organisms, such as worms and bees, and is easy to apply to small or large lawns with a spray bottle or lawn sprayer.

Bayer Crop Science Complete Insect Killer for Soil & Turf

This spray effectively kills infestations of larger caterpillars and protects your lawns from further outbreaks for up to three months. It contains chemicals, so ensure the lawn is thoroughly dry before letting pets and animals outside.

Chapin 20000 1-Gallon Lawn and Garden Pump Pressured Sprayer

This versatile garden sprayer is designed for safely applying fertilizers, weed killers and pesticides to your lawn. A 12-inch wand lets you control the direction of the spray. A 34-inch hose gives you lots of room to maneuver the sprayer. There’s an adjustable nozzle and a filter that prevents dirt and debris from clogging up the tank. It’s made of heavy-duty plastic with nitrile seals that prevent leakage from the tank. 

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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