A meme making the rounds on Facebook describes autumn in South Louisiana as “summer with pumpkins.” As temperatures continue to soar into the 90s, that description seems apt. But pumpkin patches aren’t the only visible signs of fall in our area. Those ugly brown patches in our lawns are harbingers of autumn as well. They signal attacks by sod webworms and/or armyworms.
Sod webworms and armyworms are larval forms of two small moths. The moths are no problem, but their larvae live in the thatch beneath turfgrass and come out at night to feast on its foliage. A close-up of the leaf damage caused by these worms can be seen in the image below.
Because they are night feeders, you’ll rarely see these worms in daylight hours. However, the early morning dew may shimmer with silken, web-like threads left behind as they traversed your lawn the night before. More likely, you’ll notice one or more large, brown patches of leaf-damaged grass similar to the one pictured below.
An infestation of sod webworms and/or armyworms can do considerable damage. According to experts at LSU Ag Center, an entire lawn’s grass can be destroyed.
The key to saving your lawn, or significant portions of it, is early detection. Since sod webworms and armyworms burrow into a lawn’s thatch layer during the day, finding them requires a bit of skill. Even then, treatment alternatives often depend on the size of the infestation and the maturity of the larvae. For these reasons, it’s generally best to consult a professional who can help you determine the best treatment course for your lawn. Give us a call today to schedule your free lawn assessment. At Green Grass, we care for your lawn as if it were our own.
