There’s an army marching into the Northeast that could possibly end up in your backyard. We are talking about fall armyworms! These little soldiers are inching their way into our yards and this is the biggest outbreak experts say they have seen in decades.
They can devour a yard within a few days leaving you wondering what could have killed your turf grass so quickly. The damage looks like brown spots in the yard and resembles drought damage.
They typically are seen in late August into September. One of the first warning signs that you might have these troopers in your backyard is a large number of birds feeding in your yard.
Fall armyworms are exceptionally vulnerable to cold and populations are assumed to die off each winter excluding some of the southern states. Fall armyworm infestations are common during “outbreak years,” when particularly large populations of the insects survive the winter and migrate north.
They get to our state by being picked up by fronts and weather from these southern states and travel through the jet stream or other weather events during their moth stage.
These moths will go dormant while traveling due to the colder air in the higher levels of the atmosphere before reaching the warmer surface, where they will resume their life cycle. This is typically when they will lay their eggs. Tiny caterpillars hatch in 5-10 days and eat for several weeks. They subsequently pupate and emerge as adults after approximately 10 days.
The small caterpillars start off green with a black head, but after 14 days or so of devouring the grass, they turn brown with white lines on the side and a reddish-brown head. They can reach a length of almost an inch. Your yard is in trouble if you notice something that looks like this eating your grass.
Has your lawn been infiltrated by armyworms? Contact a Turfcor Expert today!
Once the Armyworms have been appropriately identified you want to identify where the most activity is occurring.
Examine your lawn and garden for evidence of Armyworms to determine where the greatest activity is taking place, as well as where their eggs and larvae are concentrated. Scan your yard, paying special attention to any places where you see damage such as discoloration or dead grass.
Search to see any signs of active armyworms or damage left by them in the form of discolored grass. Determine if your infestation is minor or extensive. If you discover an infestation, treat it as soon as possible since armyworms cause the most harm during the dry, hot summer months.
Armyworms are active early in the morning, late in the evening, and at night. Armyworms hang out under leaves and thatch during the day. Pour a solution comprising 1 gallon of water and 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid over suspicious spots to flush them out. If they’re there, they’ll float to the surface in a matter of minutes.
To find out if pesticides are required, speak with a Turfcor Specialist. Insecticides may be required if the armyworm infestation is extensive and the armyworm population is substantial.
Turfcor proudly serves all of Eastern Pennsylvania, from Scranton to Downingtown, and everywhere in between.
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