How to identify and get rid of armyworms

If you hate the idea of mowing your lawn every weekend, just wait for armyworms to march into your yard, and they'll do it for you – albeit your lawn will look more like a mess than a pedicured golf course.

Armyworms stamped over grass and crops like a calvary, chowing down vegetation in their path. If there ever was a real-life hungry caterpillar, these guys are it!

Armyworms are caterpillars that turn into moths, and they are one of the most destructive pests in lawns and agriculture. They feed on grasses and cereal crops, like wheat, corn, soybeans, cotton, and sorghum, to name a few.

The females stealthily fly into a healthy patch of grass and can lay over 2000 eggs. After a few days, the eggs hatch and start munching on grass. Thousands of these caterpillars can march across a field or lawn, devouring all vegetation in their path. And the caterpillars are just as sneaky as their mothers, only crawling at night and then hunkering down at the base of plants during the day.

These caterpillars can destroy a lawn, pasture, or farm if not carefully and promptly managed and controlled.

To identify an armyworm, look for a caterpillar with a yellow to brown head capsule. You should see an upside-down yellow 'Y' on its head. They can also be identified by black spots running down their back and dark stripes on their sides.

The adults are dull brown with white marks on the end of their forewings. The hind wings are silvery-white.

If your lawn or garden looks like someone took a nibble out of it overnight, armyworms might be the culprits. They love to eat in groups, so you might suddenly notice brown patches in grass or chewed leaves on plants.

How big are armyworms?

Armyworms can grow up to 2 inches in length during their last stage as a caterpillar.

What other pest looks like an armyworm?

There are different types of armyworms, including true armyworms and fall armyworms. True armyworms come out in spring, whereas fall armyworms come out in late summer or early fall. Armyworms also may look very similar to cutworms. However, cutworms won't have the 'Y' on their head.

Armyworms are found across the United States, especially in southern states, where they can be a year-round problem. Look for them in your lawn or garden.

Usually, the natural enemies of armyworms keep this pest in check. Those natural enemies include parasitic wasps, ground beetles, rove beetles, and pathogens. Using insecticides can often kill these natural predators, unleashing armyworms from their limitations.

If you have an infestation of armyworms, there are a few control methods you can try:

• Mowing your lawn frequently
• Remove weeds
• Dethatch your lawn
• Keep the lawn moist and cool

Often, you may do everything right for your own lawn, but the neighbor's lawn might be an oasis for armyworms. If that is true, consider spraying an insect barrier around your property to keep the army from marching across borders. Pestie offers a DIY solution with pro-grade ingredients. Plus, it's delivered to your door at just the right time you should reapply and is customized to your location.