Armyworms can do a lot of damage to your garden if they go out of control. Pests in the garden, these caterpillars have a bad rap. They eat mostly grass, although they also like vegetables, crops, and a variety of other vegetation. It just takes a few days for an armyworm infestation to devastate a lawn, even though they are microscopic and hard to spot.
In order to avoid damage to your yard or garden, it’s better to catch problems early on and take action. Learn how to get rid of armyworms and keep them away from your prized plants by reading this article.
Identify armyworm larvae
Armyworm caterpillars and larvae eat lawns, gardens, and crops as their primary food sources. Its body is striped in a variety of shades of green, brown, and reddish-orange, depending on whether it is green, brown, or black. They also have a prominent, inverted “Y” mark on the front of their head. One-half to two inches long when fully grown, with almost no fuzz.
Summer and early fall are the most prevalent times for armyworm activity. Patches of brown grass are the first sign of an armyworm infestation. If you look closely, you’ll see that the grass blades’ edges are bitten and ragged, if not fully sheared. If you observe a lot of armyworms or witness damage to your garden, it’s time to get rid of them.
Remove armyworms by hand from plants and place them in a bucket of soapy water
However, armyworms like to stay hidden during the day so if you do spot any, you should get rid of them immediately. It may be possible to control a limited invasion by physically removing the pests from your yard or garden. You can use liquid dish soap to wash the armyworm after you’ve manually removed it from the plant. The armyworms will perish as a result of the soapy water solution.
Removing the infected plants and washing your gardening tools are the only options if you don’t want to use a pesticide. Consider applying a pesticide for larger infestations; natural and effective choices exist.
Spray neem oil or another natural insecticide on plants that have bugs
Spray insecticides work well against armyworms because they feed on the surface. Pesticides in the form of chemicals or granules can also be effective.
It’s best to use an armyworm pesticide that won’t kill beneficial insects, regardless of the type you choose. Armyworm populations should be controlled by natural predators such as ants and birds. neem oil, bacillus thuringiensis, pyrethrin, and diatomaceous earth are some of the most common therapies. Neem oil sprays, for example, are non-toxic and efficient against a wide range of insects and pests, including armyworms.
Schedule treatments for the early or late hours of the day
In the morning and at night, armyworm larvae are most active. Even if you’re using a pesticide or physically removing the larvae, it’s ideal to do it during their feeding periods.
It is possible for your lawn to be infested by numerous generations of armyworms in the course of a single year. As a result, it’s critical to keep an eye out for armyworms and cure any issues that occur. Preventing armyworms from returning to your lawn is as simple as keeping up with regular mowing and watering.
Keep the grassy weeds at bay and the lawn manicured to a reasonable height
Depending on where you live, natural predators may be able to keep armyworm populations under control. Plants that attract helpful insects like ground beetles, rove beetles, and ladybugs should also be encouraged to thrive in your garden.
Adult armyworms are attracted to tall grass and grassy weeds. Adult moths find it more difficult to lay their eggs in gardens that are well-kept. By keeping grass short and clearing away fallen debris, natural predators can more easily find armyworm hiding places. You can help your grass or plants bounce back from an armyworm infestation by maintaining a healthy yard.
After seeing your garden has been plagued by armyworms, it is critical to get to the bottom of the problem. In only a few short days, armyworms may decimate a lawn or garden. When you see brown spots and chewed plants, search for armyworm larvae, which are distinguishable by their green, yellow, brown or reddish stripes that span their body length. As a result, you may want to think about treating your yard. Armyworms may be kept at bay and your garden can thrive with only a few basic treatment methods and regular yard upkeep.
