Pest Control Experts Warn To Act Fast Or Lose Your Grass As Armyworms Invade Area Lawns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The rains from Hurricane Debby left weeks ago, but a worm infestation brought on by that same storm is still alive and well. They’re called armyworms. While they look a lot like caterpillars, professional equestrian Logan Harris, says they’re much worse.

“(I) noticed them eating my pastures probably two days ago,” Harris said. She continues, “I would say they’ve moved through, like, 60 percent of it.”

Harris’ competition horses, and her client’s horses, graze on those pastures. Without the grass, she has to spend more to keep her animals fed.

Sean Kyne with Charlotte’s Fine Turf says the lawn care company has received hundreds of calls to stop armyworms. Kyne says the commander behind this mass assault is none other than moths. Hurricane weather entices the insects to lay their eggs up high. Between 50 to hundreds of armyworms will then hatch and march on your grass, eating everything except the weeds.

“(They) can pretty much destroy a lawn in two to 10 days,” Kyne said. “They’re devastating. Lawns are usually beyond repair,” he continues.

Kyne says the worms mostly move at night, and leave behind dry brown straw where grass once was as evidence of their attack. Pest control can easily kill the worms with chemicals, but unless they’re caught early you’ll still have to replant every bit of dead grass.

“Time to replant and re-seed and, you know, treat pastures,” Harris said. “I would like the hurricanes not to bring us any more, any more nuisances onto the property,” she adds.

Experts say the armyworms will continue eating lawns until the first frost hits our area. The worms will be most active throughout the next few weeks. Pest control recommends seeking help immediately if you start to notice brown spots forming on the edges of your lawn.