Wrapping up the close of summer 2024, I felt it was necessary to take a moment to write up a guide for Charlotte, NC and Southeast residents to inform homeowners that I am seeing earlier than normal and higher than normal Armyworm activity with the vast number of reported Armyworm Damage experienced by local homeowners.
A vast number of Charlotte, NC area homeowners have begun using a new tool just released in 2024 to aid in Armyworm Lawn Damage Prevention personally reporting Armyworm damage of this quick-moving, invasive turf pest.
You can bookmark this tool for future use with this all-new 2024 Armyworm Damage Reporting System which you can access here: Interactive Armyworm Damage Map
Armyworm Identification: 🐛
Here is a picture of what Armyworms look like and some questions to ask to identify this pest and treat to mitigate damage as quickly as possible:
👉 Do you noticed increased browning in your lawn over the past week or two?
👉 If so, do these brown spots appear to be spreading?
👉 If yes, go ahead and take 60 secs (your lawn with thank you!) to pull up some of the dead grass and look for signs of these worms. If you have Army Worm infestation, it won’t be hard to find them feeding just below the surface.
You also may notice “Armyworm Moths” that will fly out of the grass when you mow or walk across the yard.
Over to the right, you will see a photo of what Armyworm Moths look like so you can properly identify them:
👉 Discovering an infestation of these pests requires immediate attention — seriously❗️
Why the immediate response to treat these pests so quickly? Well, that’s because once the Armyworm eggs hatch, the larva begin to feed heavily on dense canopy follage and a preferred diet for them is your beautiful turfgrass we work so hard to make look great.
Once these larva begin feeding, if their numbers are great enough…
Army Worms can literally destroy a lawn overnight !!
I have personally witnessed this time and tie again — mostly from new customers reaching out for treatment solutions who did not have our Annual May Grub, Turf Caterpillar, and Armyworm Season-Long Preventative treatment applied.
👉 Unprotected lawns are most susceptible to to Armyworm Damage.
I released a short video this week showing the absolute havoc these Armyworms can produce in turfgrass that did not receive a preventative protection app against these Fall season pests.
WATCH NOW: Armyworms DESTROY Neighborhood HOA Turfgrass Common Areas:
Armyworms Destroy Unprotected HOA Turfgrass Common Areas
Treated lawns for our clients are protected with a single, one-time preventative application appropriately timed in May of each calendar year to prevent turfgrass loss before it starts!
This preventative application, once applied, is absorbed by the plant and has a residual hold for the remainder of the season which will actively kill any larva that begin to feed on the turf and eliminates them before they can cause any noticeable damage.
Whatever you do, whether you call a Professional Turf Care & Pest Control Care Company to handle the Armyworms or you treat them yourself — do something.
One way or the other, it is imperative you take action to prevent reproduction cycles and a bigger problem the following year.
Your neighbors will thank you as well as Armyworms do not abide by lot boundary lines and will trespass until you lay the law down!
Top 2 Options for Total Armyworm Control:
Crosscheck EZ Granular Multi-Insecticide – Just dump bag in your spreader and apply according to the rates of insects wanting to control.
👉 Must be watered in to be effective.
👉 Can be applied with a common Scott’s broadcast spreader.
Crosscheck Liquid – Mix at 1oz/gal of solution for max control of:
Armyworms, Ticks, Fleas, Sod Webworms, Billbugs, Cinchbugs, etc.
Preventative vs Curative Treatments:
Preventing Armyworm Damage Before It Starts:
As with any turf care plan that gets results, we need to implement preventative measures as our first line of defense.
Doing so gives us a huge advantage against all kinds of weeds, lawn pests, fungus issues, and disease pressures a typical homeowner’s lawn will encounter throughout the varying weather extremes of any year.
Industry Leading Preventative Insecticide:
Acelepryn Xtra Preventative Insecticide:
GRANULAR Acelepryn:
How to apply: Can be applied with a common fertilizer Scott’s broadcast spreader.
👉 Must be watered in to be effective.
👉 Can be applied with a common Scott’s broadcast spreader.
LIQUID Acelepryn:
👉 PREVENTION: Applying Acelepryn to turfgrass areas in May will prevent Armyworm Damage in the first place:
⏰ TIMING: Don’t get caught off guard this season! Early to mid-June is ideal for applying Acelepryn as a preventative insecticide at the 20 fl. oz./A rate (0.36oz – 0.45oz/k sqft) for season-long control of fall armyworm, white grubs and billbugs. This max rate can also offer:
• Turfgrass ant control
• Grub control
• Mole cricket suppression
Acelepryn Xtra can also be applied at the following rates for these specific uses:
• 16-20 fl. oz./A (0.36oz – 0.45oz/k sqft) for additional grub control, along with turf caterpillar, ant, and billbug control
• 10 fl. oz./A in mid to late July to prevent fall armyworm for at least two months
Armyworm Curative Liquid Treatment:
*Liquid treatment requires a handheld or backpack sprayer.
💦 Best 2 gallon Handheld Pump Sprayer:
💦 Best 4 gallon Manual Pump Backpack Sprayer:
💦 Best Battery Powered Backpack Sprayer:
Granular non-liquid application:
Crosscheck EZ Granules*
*Granular applications require push spreader to apply like this very popular Scotts Broadcast Spreader here:
Generic Crosscheck:
Talak 7.9% Bifen
Armyworm Damage Identification
Although Armyworms may be better known as agricultural crops pests, they can be a sporadic but serious pest of turfgrasses.
Fall 
Armyworm damage in turfgrass is very distinctive.
Since Armyworms cross the turf surface as a group, they create a noticeable line between damaged and undamaged turfgrass.
Usually damaged areas will originate around a site where egg masses can be easily laid (signposts, buildings) and radiate outward.
Although fall Armyworms do not have many specific preferences, newly-installed sod is more attractive and more susceptible to damage.
Armyworm Treatment
Fall Armyworms can be more difficult to control than other turf caterpillar pests. When possible, mow and lightly water the turfgrass areas to be treated prior to applying control products.
Insecticides are generally ineffective against large larvae so be sure to note the size of the Armyworms before making an application. Large larvae are likely to finish feeding and burrow into the soil to pupate so only treat if larvae are relatively small. Pyrethroids (particularly lambda-cyhalothrin) and carbamates (carbaryl), will provide somewhat effective control against smaller larvae. Chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn) will also control turf-feeding caterpillars, if applied very early. For specific control information, consult your local Cooperative Extension center for recommendations.
| Insecticide and Formulation | Amount per 1,000 sq ft | Precaution and Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Acephate* (Orthene, T, T&O) | 0.5 to 1.2 oz | Water in immediately after application. |
| Chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn) | 0.046 to 0.092 fl oz | |
| Chlorpyrifos* (Dursban) 4 E, 2 E, 50WP, Pro | See label | For use on golf courses; check new label. |
| Indoxacarb (Provaunt) SC | 0.0625 to 0.25 fl oz | Not labeled for use on sod farms. |
| Pyrethroids* (Advanced Garden, Battle, Deltagard, Menace, Scimitar, Talstar, Tempo, Cyonara) | See label | |
| Spinosad A + D (Conserve) SC | 1.25 fl oz | Rate varies with size and species |
Additional Info & Resources:
For additional detailed information on Armyworms & other various turf pests, be sure to check out the NC State Extension website.
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Get Help Treating Your Lawn for Fall Armyworms
If you think you have this turfgrass pest problem, reach out to me via call or text 704-578-9302 and I will expedite any and all curative insect treatments ASAP because this issue is time sensitive to deal with before Armyworms destroy, in some cases, the entire lawn.
Again, it is imperative these pests are controlled so they are not able to complete their next life cycle, reproduce and lay eggs leading to more of the same problem now and into the following season.
You work hard to keep your lawn looking good.
Let’s guard that turf today!
All-Season Turf Master Turf Care Clients:
If you have been with us since at least May 2024, thankfully — your lawn has already been protected for season-long control of these pest with our one-time annual preventative treatment that was applied to your lawn in May earlier this year to prevent these Armyworm pests from wreaking havoc on your beautiful lawn.
If you are an annual client — great job! We already did the heavy lifting for you 🏋️♀️
If for whatever reason, you still think you have identified Army Worm damage, reach out to me immediately and I will personal come out to treat again at no cost to you to ensure your 100% satisfaction. That’s how it should be.
Treat Your Lawn for Army Worms Today & Schedule: 🐛⚡️
✅ Curative Multi-Insecticide Treatment (Quick-Release) 🐛
This turf care treatment controls the following insects:
- Armyworms 🐛
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Chinch bugs
- Sod webworms
- Cutworms
- Mole crickets
- Billbugs, and more.
- Don’t Delay — Schedule today:
👉 Email me at ( info@fivestar-lawncare.com ) or call/text my cell anytime @ 704-578-9302.
You can also request a free, no obligation quote for our most sought after Turf Care Treatment Plan by going online to our quote request form page. In the additional details section, ask about our most popular “All-Season Turf Masters Signature” Turf Care Program (includes preventative treatment once annually for Army Worms and nuisance insects) and I will ensure you receive a new customer experience unmatched in the Lawn & Landscape industry.
Until then, I will see you in the yard!
Guarding your Turf,
Riley Adkins, Founder
Five Star Lawn Care, LLC
US Marine Veteran 🇺🇸
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️