Armyworms Are Devouring Turf Lawns in Ohio
Unless you’re in the lawn care industry or you’ve spent time in the southern states, you’re probably not familiar with armyworms. Unfortunately, that might change this year.
We’ve been hearing reports from southern and central Ohio about Fall Armyworm infestations devastating turf lawns and crops. And it is likely that these pests will make their way to Northeast Ohio in the coming weeks.
Please note that our current grub treatments do NOT protect against armyworms—they’re not a pest we typically see in Ohio.
In response to these unexpected infestations, we are now offering insecticide treatments for eradication and prevention of armyworms as an add-service. If you are interested, please contact us.
For your own education, we’ve gathered some information about armyworms and how to tell if you might have an infestation.
What are armyworms?
There are different species of armyworms, but, in Ohio, we’re seeing one of the most common species, the Fall Armyworm.
Armyworms are the larval stage of the adult armyworm moth. As larva, they feed on crops and turfgrass. And like an army, they start in one part of your lawn or field, and when they deplete the food source, they “march” on to the next plentiful area.
If they’re left unstopped, they can destroy entire fields and lawns in a very short amount of time. For example, some sources say they can destroy a football-sized area in three to four days.
What do armyworms look like?
Most people don’t notice armyworms or their damage until they are caterpillars—which is when they do the most damage. Armyworm caterpillars can range in color from green or yellow-green, to brown, and even gray. They have distinct markings, with three stripes that run down the length of their bodies and an upside-down Y-shaped mark on their heads.
How did armyworms get to Ohio?
You might be wondering how these southern pests got this far north. Weather is the culprit. This year has seen one of the wettest and hottest Julys and Augusts making conditions just right for armyworms.
Also, According to The Ohio State University’s Buckeye Yard & Garden Online, in early August storms blowing up from the south picked up adult armyworm moths carrying them up to and across Ohio. These moths merged into the jet stream allowing them to travel up to 500 miles in a day. And when the moths reached areas with plenty of food—namely Ohio and Kentucky—they dropped down to eat and lay their eggs.
How to protect your lawn
In southern and central Ohio, homeowners are seeing the signs of armyworm caterpillars. Look out for dry dead spots in your lawn. These spots will grow as the armyworms deplete the food in that area and march to new areas.
You can also dig into your lawn to check the soil or spray the affected area with water and dishsoap, which will bring the armyworms out in a matter of minutes. If your yard has armyworms, we encourage you to reach out as soon as possible because these pests do a lot of damage very quickly.
If you are interested in this add-on service, please contact Advanced Quality Lawn by phone, email, or click to get in touch.
