Army worms have done some major damage to lawns in Atlanta, Georgia this year.  It is August 2010 and over the last 2 –3 weeks we have received calls from customers about their lawns dying in a peculiar way.  The result of army worm attacks.  I treated what was left of a lawn with an insecticide and video taped the results immediately after the treatment.

I used an insecticide that works very well on these little soldiers but I will be back on this lawn in about 15 days to retreat and make sure we have them under control.

Here are some facts about these little soldiers:

Identification: Armyworms, which attain a length of 1/2 inches, are also caterpillars of moths. Their bodies are greenish when small but become brown when fully grown. Several stripes are usually apparent, extending from the head to the rear. The adult is a mottled brownish-gray moth with a wingspan of nearly l l/2 inches.

Life Cycle and Diagnosis: Moths lay clusters of eggs on grass blades, lawn furniture, white or light colored walls and other objects near lawns. Caterpillars hatch and begin to feed on the turf. Damaged turf appears ragged with individual blades showing signs of chewing damage. When numerous, they may devour the grass down to the ground. Caterpillars pupate in the soil. The moths emerge within a couple of weeks. They are active mainly at night. There are three to six generations a year. As with sod webworms, time insecticide applications to control armyworms during the early evening when caterpillars are feeding on the surface of the turf.

If you have army worms – call us or fill out our information form and we will get on your property immediately.  We will treat your lawn 2 times for $75 each treatment.  This is up to 8,000 square feet of lawn.  $10.00 for each 1000 square feet over 8,000 square feet.