Armyworms in Huntsville, AL: Signs, Damage & When to Treat Your Lawn

Armyworms Are Active in North Alabama — Here's What Huntsville Homeowners Should Know

Late summer and early fall are prime times for fall armyworms in Huntsville and North Alabama. These lawn-damaging caterpillars can appear suddenly and cause noticeable damage to otherwise healthy grass in a surprisingly short amount of time.

If you've noticed unusual brown patches, thinning grass, caterpillars moving across your lawn, or increased bird activity in your yard, armyworms could be the reason.

At Cothren's Pest Control, we want homeowners to know what to look for and, most importantly, when to take action.

What Are Fall Armyworms?

Despite their name, armyworms aren't actually worms. They are the caterpillar stage of the fall armyworm moth.

Adult moths migrate into Alabama from warmer southern areas each year. Female moths can lay egg masses containing hundreds of eggs, and those eggs can hatch within just a few days during favorable conditions.

Once they hatch, the small caterpillars begin feeding on grass. As they grow, their appetite increases dramatically. This is one reason homeowners may feel like their lawn was healthy one day and damaged only a few days later.

When Are Armyworms Most Active in Huntsville, Alabama?

Armyworm problems are most common in Alabama during late summer and early fall, particularly from August through October.

They can feed throughout the day, but they are often easiest to find early in the morning or during the late afternoon and early evening. During the hottest part of the day, armyworms may stay deeper in the grass and thatch.

This makes morning and late afternoon excellent times to inspect your lawn.

How Do You Identify an Armyworm?

Mature fall armyworms can grow to approximately 1¼ to 1½ inches long and may range from green to brown or nearly black.

One of their most recognizable characteristics is a light-colored, upside-down "Y" marking on the head. They also commonly have stripes running lengthwise along their bodies and four dark spots arranged roughly in a square near the rear of the caterpillar.

If you're unsure whether you're seeing armyworms or another lawn pest, a professional pest control technician or exterminator can help identify the problem before treatment is performed.

Signs of Armyworms in Your Lawn

Armyworms feed directly on grass blades. Damage may initially look like drought stress, discoloration, or an area that simply isn't growing properly.

As the infestation increases, you may notice:

• Brown or thinning areas that seem to spread quickly
• Grass blades that appear chewed or stripped
• Caterpillars crawling through the grass
• Groups of birds repeatedly feeding in one section of the lawn
• Increased wasp activity around the turf
• Green caterpillar droppings, called frass, down in the grass

Don't assume every brown spot is caused by armyworms. Heat stress, drought, disease and other insects can produce similar symptoms, which is why proper identification is important.

A Simple Way to Check Your Lawn for Armyworms

One method homeowners can use is a soap flush.

Mix approximately 2 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing soap with 1 gallon of water and slowly pour it over a small 1- to 2-square-foot section of suspicious turf.

If caterpillars are hiding down in the grass or thatch, the solution may cause them to come toward the surface where they're easier to see.

This doesn't identify every insect that appears as an armyworm, so identification is still important.

Why You Shouldn't Wait Until the Lawn Is Heavily Damaged

The best time to address an armyworm problem is while the caterpillars are still small and before extensive damage occurs.

Young armyworms don't consume nearly as much grass as mature larvae. As they grow, however, their feeding increases significantly. By the time large numbers of mature armyworms are obvious, considerable damage may already have occurred.

That's why early detection is so important.

Can a Lawn Recover From Armyworm Damage?

The good news is that armyworm damage doesn't necessarily mean your lawn is dead.

Healthy, established turf—especially bermudagrass—can often recover with proper care if the growing points haven't been severely damaged. The appearance and severity of damage depend on the grass species, health of the lawn, weather conditions and severity of the infestation.

However, stopping active feeding quickly can help prevent additional unnecessary damage.

When Should You Call an Exterminator for Armyworms?

If you actually find armyworms in your lawn, notice rapidly spreading turf damage, or see large numbers of caterpillars, that's the time to call.

You don't necessarily need to schedule an insecticide treatment simply because it's armyworm season. We prefer to determine whether there is an active problem and recommend treatment when it makes sense.

This is particularly important because armyworm moths can continue moving into our area and laying new eggs throughout the season. Treating a lawn doesn't prevent every moth from potentially laying eggs there later.

Professional Armyworm Treatment in Huntsville, AL

When professional treatment is appropriate, Cothren's Pest Control offers armyworm treatments for lawns in Huntsville and surrounding North Alabama communities.

Our treatment is designed to target active armyworms and help stop feeding before additional turf damage occurs. The exact treatment approach can vary based on the property, severity of the infestation, condition of the turf and other factors.

We intentionally don't recommend a one-size-fits-all treatment without first understanding what's happening in the lawn.

Don't Wait Until the Grass Is Gone

Armyworms can move quickly. If you think you're seeing them, early identification gives you the best opportunity to control the infestation before significant damage occurs.

Check your lawn during the early morning or late afternoon, particularly during August and September. Look closely at suspicious brown areas and watch for caterpillars or unusually heavy bird activity.

If you find armyworms or aren't sure what's damaging your lawn, call Cothren's Pest Control for help identifying the problem and a price for professional armyworm treatment.

Serving Huntsville and surrounding North Alabama communities.