There are many pests that threaten your perfectly manicured lawn. Aphids, grubs, fire ants, and armyworms are just some of the intruders that can wreak havoc on your turf, plants, and vegetation. In this article brought to you by Arbor-Nomics, we will target the armyworms. We will share some tips on identifying these hungry, hungry pests, then go over some ways you can get rid of them. If you have any specific questions or concerns, or if you are interested in learning about our Atlanta lawn care programs that target armyworm infestations, then give us a call and speak with a courteous representative today.
About Armyworms
Armyworms are no mere worms. They are highly destructive pests that travel in large groups and can take out an entire garden like nothing. They especially love to feed on turfgrass such as bermudagrass, ryegrass, fescue, and bluegrass. An “army” of these pests can consume a football field’s worth of turfgrass in the course of two to three days! In fact, the fall armyworm’s scientific name, Spodoptera frugiperda, might be more descriptive than their common name. “Frugiperda” is Latin for “lost fruit.”
Identifying Armyworms
There is no time to waste when looking for armyworms. The fall armyworm has four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adults are usually gray in color with a 1.5-inch wingspan. It’s two forewings are spotted with flecks of white and the underwings are white and slightly transparent. They fly and mate at night with females laying up to 1,000 eggs on host plants or indiscriminate surfaces.
After hatching, the fall armyworm’s caterpillar-like larvae will make their way to the turf to feed. They range in colors from green, brown, gray, to black, but their most distinctive feature is the whitish inverted “Y” on their head capsule, between the eyes. They’ve also got three whitish stripes going down their body. After about two to three weeks of feeding, the larvae will burrow into the soil to pupate and emerge as adults about two weeks later.
Controlling and Eliminating Armyworms
Armyworm larvae start feasting as soon as they hatch. The good news is that you have help on your side. Beetles, rodents, and birds do a great deal of hunting for these armyworms. In fact, if you notice a surge in aerial guests, then you might have an armyworm infestation. The birds may not be enough to fend off an intense invasion though. You might have to get hands-on with armyworm removal by handpicking them and dropping them in soapy water. Of course, you can also leave the treatment to the folks at Arbor-Nomics.
Leave It to Arbor-Nomics!
Dealing with a horde of armyworms is time-consuming and gross. Prevention is key when it comes to armyworms. Call Arbor-Nomics to learn about our lawn care programs which include armyworm treatment.
Good For our Silver Plus, Gold Plus and Platinum customers, we apply two preventive treatments a year. In June a treatment is applied to help prevent armyworms and in August a treatment helps prevent grubs. Both treatments can be applied to all lawn types without threatening beneficial insects such as earthworms. Treatment can be added on as an additional service to any program. Give us a call today to consult with a specialist and get your free price estimate upfront.