Testimonials ». Sod webworms can cause significant damage, but they're not particularly difficult to control, especially if you begin your control efforts soon after the sod webworms have hatched. The best way is to water your lawn regularly. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 4. Luckily, the best way to control Sod webworm is also the best way to make your lawn healthier and greener. Sod webworm moths are usually seen only in the early morning hours. Synthetic pyrethroids are common, © 2004-2020 P&M Solutions, LLC DBA DoMyOwn, Pre Emergent Herbicides (Weed Preventers), Professional Safety Kit with Comfo Respirator, ENTONEM - Live Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae), See More Sod Webworm Lifecycle Synthetic pyrethroids are common products to use. It is most effective on the smaller worms, so early inspection and identification is important if you choose B.t. Window Treatments Styles & Decor Interior Painting Home Makeovers Small-Space Decorating ... Strategy 4: Spray Webworm Nests with Neem Neem is one of a several organic insecticides available. While they prefer St. Augustinegrass, these very hungry caterpillars also munch on bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. You can buy this special grass seed at most garden supply stores. He says the Sod Web Worms are flourishing because August was so wet and now it's so hot and humid. Combine 2 tbsp. Do I need a pesticide licence to purchase insecticide products? Follow the label’s irrigation instructions: usually granular insecticides are followed by about an hour of watering to ensure the granules get down into the turf. Early treatment can save the grass, but if not done at the onset, a resident could lose their entire yard. They are active during warm, humid summers, feeding on grass and ultimately creating brown, dead patches. If you spend a lot of time making your lawn look nice, it can be frustrating when pests damage your grass. However, we can and do … It will also force the caterpillars to the surface of the grass. This will allow the product to reach the soil level. https://entomology.unl.edu/turfent/documnts/swebwrms.shtml, http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/sod-webworms-lawns, http://harris.agrilife.org/files/2011/05/sodwebworm.pdf, http://msue.anr.msu.edu/resources/sod_webworm_tips_for_your_lawn, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/insects/caterpillars/sod-webworm.aspx, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The insects can be distinguished through their feeding habits and injury symptoms. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Closely inspect the surface of your turf for silken tunnels and tiny green pellets (worm feces). % of people told us that this article helped them. This gives the nematodes an opportunity to control this pest. If you’ve read my tips on controlling sod webworms and chinch bugs, you know my advice has always been to apply three doses of a liquid insecticide like bifenthrin over a two-week period. Sod Webworm Treatment for Houston Area Lawns Summary of the Sod Webworm Treatment Video. Have in mind that these worms are active at night. If the product label allows, mow before application to remove any excess turf. How often you water your grass will depend on the climate where you live. Yes |  SCHEDULE SERVICE. Remember that the treatment is targeted at the sod webworm caterpillar, not the moth. The brown patches may sometimes have visible pencil-sized holes due to birds searching for the webworm larvae. Sod webworm turfgrass injury . Mature larvae are about three-quarters of an inch in length. Water your lawn regularly. 2. Landscape companies prevent sod webworms through responsible lawn care practices and eradicate webworms with chemical treatments. Larvae cut off grass blades just above the thatch line, pull them into their tunnels and eat them. Tropical sod webworms are turf caterpillars found in the southeastern United States. Watering grass thoroughly before application can help effectiveness. However, depending on where you are, you might need a licence for industrial quantities or types of pesticides. However, the most common flight periods are May to June, and late August to early September. They are most active from spring to fall, although in South Florida they can be found year-round. There are a few things to keep in mind when treating for these lawn pests. Tropical sod webworm larvae are translucent amber in color but begin to appear green as they feed. This mixture irritates the caterpillars (and other insects) and flushes them to the soil surface for counting and identification. However, if the weather is hot and dry, you may need to water your lawn for as much as an hour a day. Alternately, mix two tablespoons of liquid dish soap with two gallons of water and soak an area of the lawn. Sod webworm larvae can be detected by examining the turf for their silken tunnels and associated frass (green fecal pellets). If you have 10-15 larvae present, you should treat the area with an insecticide. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. You can use either a spray or a granular insecticide. This product is derived from a tropical tree and can be very effective at getting rid of all sorts of insect pests. Most light to moderate infestations of sod webworms can be managed by irrigation of the turf. There are different types of nematodes, so choose those that will control sod webworms. Customized Pest Control Program - New Lower Price Starting at $7.98/month* + Free Shipping », DoMyOwn's COVID-19 Update: Wait times may be longer than usual. They can kill an entire lawn in a matter of days. ", See More Watering the grass before you apply an insecticide will help the chemicals penetrate the grass better. 268 of 296 people found this article informative and helpful. Below are some treatments: Water regularly: sod webworms thrive in dry thatch so try as much as possible to water your lawn to keep it from drying out. Sod webworms are a type of moth that live in turfgrass. Please follow label directions. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. As the temperatures drops, the sod webworm burrow into the soil to overwinter. Luckily, it’s easy to get rid of sod webworms yourself. By using our site, you agree to our. If you spot moths hovering over your lawn, or if they fly … Sod webworms are the larvae of lawn moths. Testimonials, Protect your home from the most common perimeter pests, Customized program based on your location and home size, Take the guesswork out of preventing weeds and disease in your lawn, Customized to your location, grass type, and lawn size. Mix in water before watering. 3. Does your lawn have brown patches that look like dog spots, only you don’t have a dog? Damage from sod webworms initially go unnoticed by lawn owners but once they multiply to a sizable population, the damage becomes very obvious. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Sod webworms feed on lawns, golf course grasses, some clovers, corn, tobacco, bluegrass, timothy, as well as pasture and field grasses. Water your turf thoroughly a few days before application, which will help bring worms to the surface. Any insecticide labeled for the treatment of sod webworms can be used to treat, and several treatments may be required. Last Updated: September 5, 2019 The treatment process is as follows: Day 1: Granular bifenthrin; Liquid bifenthrin or Cyonara (applied after granular helps water it in) Day 3: Liquid BT (Organic caterpillar & webworm control) Day 7: View Sod Webworms Treatment Guides & Videos as a form of control. They will devour your grass, decimating your yard, unless you treat repeatedly. If you want to learn how to identify sod webworm nests, keep reading the article! We came in with a sod cutter, cut the grass out, and replaced it with Raleigh St. Augustine. Chemical controls can be very effective on sod webworms. Talk to a Cypress Creek representative to learn about pest control options available to you. The wings form a triangular shape when resting. At rest, the insect folds its wings against its body. Count them and consider treating your lawn if you see 10 or more larvae. Follow all label instructions, especially if you have livestock which will be eating the grass. Get free shipping on qualified Sod Webworms products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today. liquid dish soap with 2 gallons of water. We have put together two different safety kits that will make selecting the correct safety gear easier for you. Chemical controls can be very effective on sod webworms. These critters are night … Since sod webworm larvae live in the dry thatch beneath grass, damage appears most frequently on slopes and banks that are hard to irrigate. We recommend using either a liquid insecticide we carry called Cyonara Lawn & Garden or a granular insecticide called Bug Out Max. Although the adult moths won’t damage your lawn, the larvae can be extremely destructive, leaving large bare patches of grass. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. No, "Outstanding service with fast shipping and in supply products, wellpriced and backed up by an excellent company. There are various active sod webworm species going about their summer work. The larvae of sod webworms, and in some cases cutworms, feed on grass blades and can extensively damage turf. Always wear gloves, long pants, and boots when working with insecticides so you aren’t exposed to the chemicals. If sod webworms are eating your grass, water your lawn thoroughly to help prevent the formation of dry thatch, where the larvae form their webs. Irrigate the lawn (1/2 and inch to 3/4 of an inch) prior to application to move sod webworms closer to the surface. Mark describes and shows examples of white grub, billbug, and sod webworm, and the type of damage that they do. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. If you choose this type of non-chemical control, keep in mind that nematodes are living things, and should be used shortly after purchase. This article has been viewed 40,312 times. For more severe infestations, apply an insecticide made with acephate, bendiocarb, or carbaryl. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Seeing a few adult sod webworms doesn’t necessarily mean you need to treat your lawn. Evenly pour the soapy water over a 1-square-yard area of your lawn where you notice 1/4- to 3-inch areas of brown in the lawn. Hi, I’m Michael with Houston Grass, and today we’re standing in a friend of mine’s front yard here. Sod webworms are the larvae of several species of moths. Sod webworm moths are beige, but they look silvery in flight. We recommend treating these insects yourself, due to the necessity of multiple treatments. Like Bt, it won’t cause damage to plants, people, or pets. If an infestation is particularly bad, however, these patches may join together, creating even larger brown patches. Sod webworm larva. This is why it’s important to inspect for sod webworm larvae before you treat your lawn for them. View Additional Information PDF . Check your order status or visit our DIY Center for expert advice. This will help bring worms to the … They usually favor bluegrass and 'Tifdwarf' hybrid bermudagrass but attack most grasses. Beneficial nematodes are also a non-chemical control method available for control of sod webworms. Still, after a few days, the moth population will be back because this is … 1. If you see little moths flying above your grass at dusk, and the brown patches start to get larger, you could have sod webworms. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. They live in the root level of your lawn and munch up the grass leaves. Apply the product late in the day, since these pests are active at night. You may notice … This is a very common question we get. Adult moths are light to dark brown with wavy lines across their wings. Unfortunately, not every retailer is well-stocked with bifenthrin. There are quite a few pests and diseases that can damage your Florida lawn, and tropical sod webworm (Herpetogramma phaeopteralis) is one of those pests. Cypress Creek Pest Control 8722 Rockmore Dr Houston, TX 77064. Verify that you have sod webworms before starting treatment. Get free shipping on qualified Sod Webworms Pest Control or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Outdoors Department. To effectively treat Sodweb Worms yourself, Warren’s Southern Garden and Kingwood Garden Center both have treatment bundles available. If the product label allows, mow before application to remove any excess turf that will impede product penetration. Was this article informative and helpful to you? References. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. We’re early August right now, and we replaced this grass about six weeks ago. Sod webworm caterpillars build their webs in the layer of dry thatch that forms between grass and the earth. Feel Free to Call Us Now (281) 469-2679. However, if you see a large number of them, you can assume they will produce a large number of larvae. The moths have a feathery, snout-like projection on the front of their heads. You do not need one for consumer level insecticides sold at garden stores, supermarkets and box stores. Sod webworms are a destructive turf insect on residential lawns and commercial landscapes. You really need to spread endophyte-enhanced turfgrass seed on your lawn and apple cider vinegar also. Always follow label directions carefully for the safest and more effective control. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Kill-Sod-Webworms-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Kill-Sod-Webworms-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Kill-Sod-Webworms-Step-1.jpg\/aid9778185-v4-728px-Kill-Sod-Webworms-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"