Fall Armyworm Alert

Fall armyworms are starting to show up in a lot of locations, including golf courses, lawns, sod farms, newly-laid sod, and about anywhere there is green turfgrass, pointed out Rick Brandenburg, extension entomologist, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.

“Fall armyworms are occurring just about everywhere in turfgrass,” he said. “They are not causing problems everywhere, but be alert to the fact that they can. Newly sprigged sites and areas with new sod are particularly vulnerable to attack. If you see a lot of birds frequenting a turf area, become suspicious about fall armyworm activity

“In some instances where recent rains have given the turfgrass a flush of new growth, the damage is temporarily masked,” he added. “I have seen all sizes of fall armyworms, but many are medium to large and can cause immediate damage. Healthy turfgrass can tolerate 5 to 10 fall armyworms per square yard.”

To flush the caterpillars to the surface, LCOs should use a 2 percent soap solution, Brandenburg advised. “Remember that fall armyworms often lay their eggs on shrubs, fence posts, signs and other objects and movement and/or damage often begins at the turfgrass edge,” he said. “Be sure and inspect turf over the next few weeks. Use a soapy water drench to bring the worms to the surface. Larger worms feed more early in the morning and late evening to avoid being picked off by birds. Treating late in the day is often beneficial.”

The author is managing editor, Lawn & Landscape, and can be reached at nwisniewski@lawnandlandscape.com.