![\"Sod](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sod-webworm-2.jpg\")
What are sod webworms?<\/span><\/h2> Sod webworms are the caterpillar or larval stage of what are commonly called \u201clawn moths.\u201d It is only the caterpillar stage you need to worry about: The caterpillars munch on your grass blades, but the moth (adult) stage won\u2019t do any harm to your lawn. <\/p>
There are over 20 species<\/a> of these lawn-loving caterpillars, and they can be found throughout the country in most cool- and warm-season grasses.<\/p> How to identify sod webworm damage<\/span><\/h2> Sod webworm damage usually starts as small spots of browning turf that can grow and coalesce as feeding continues. Patches are irregular in shape and start to thin and turn brown.<\/p>
How to test for sod webworms<\/span><\/h2> If you want to know whether these brown patches are due to sod webworms, here are four ways to check:<\/p>
1. Hands and knees test<\/h3>
Sod webworms feed at night, so go into the lawn around dusk. Look for an area of damaged turf, and get on your hands and knees to look through the brown grass. You may see:<\/p>
- Tiny worms crawling about<\/li>
- Green-colored frass (excrement)<\/li>
- Eggs<\/li> <\/ul>
Also, look on the blades of grass. You\u2019ll see irregularly shaped bite marks on the blade with yellowing or browning where it\u2019s been chewed.<\/p>
Fun Fact: <\/strong>Some species of sod webworm caterpillars are translucent, and if they\u2019ve been munching on your grass, you\u2019ll see the green foliage in their intestinal tract. <\/p> 2. Drench test<\/h3>
If you can\u2019t spot them on your hands and knees, bring them to the surface with a drench test. <\/p>
- Choose an area where you see webworm damage<\/li>
- Mark out an area in the lawn that is 1 square yard in size\u00a0<\/li>
- Add 1 ounce of dish soap to 1 gallon of water<\/li>
- Pour the water over the area<\/li>
- If there are more than 15 larvae (healthy lawn) or 5 larvae (stressed turf) per square yard, consider treatment<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Look for moths<\/h3>
This is not a tip on how to ID sod webworms, but it’s another way to help determine if they are in your lawn. <\/p>
Moths are the adult version of sod webworms. If you go into the lawn in the evening and see moths flying just above the grass, that\u2019s another good indication that you have (or will have) webworms munching on your lawn. <\/p>
Moths release their eggs onto the grass in the early evening or late afternoon as they flit about. Within a week or so, the eggs will hatch and the larvae will start to feed. <\/p>
Note on feeding: <\/strong>Sod webworm larvae do the most damage (chomping and chewing) in the later (fifth and sixth) larval phases<\/a>. Damage in the earlier larval stages turns grass leaves into \u201cleaf skeletons\u201d and may be easy to miss.<\/p> 4. Keep an eye out for birds<\/h3>
There are many reasons for birds to be in your yard, but they can indicate there are pests like sod webworms in your lawn. If you notice more birds in your yard, especially if they land in these newly brown spots, you may want to check to see if sod webworms or another tasty insect is to blame.<\/p>
How to get rid of sod webworms in your lawn<\/span><\/h2> If you need to get rid of sod webworms, the good news is that you have several products to choose from. Check out these biological and chemical treatment options<\/a> and see which one best fits your treatment goals:<\/p> Biological control options<\/h3> - Bacillus thuringiensis <\/strong>ssp. <\/em><\/strong>Kurstaki <\/strong>OR ssp.<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>Aizawai<\/em><\/strong>: <\/strong>Also known as Bt, this bacteria works best on young larval stages. This product washes off with water, so plan to reapply after it rains or after you water the lawn. Apply it in the early evening when they come out to feed.<\/li> <\/ul>
Note: There are different types of Bt, so make sure you buy the Bt with \u201cKurstaki\u201d or \u201cAizawai\u201d<\/a> at the end of the name.<\/p> - Nematodes:<\/strong> Steinernema carpocapsae<\/em> nematodes are a type of beneficial nematode<\/a> that help control sod webworms and other undesirable insects in your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Azadirachtin:<\/strong> This product comes from the neem tree (just like neem oil).<\/li> <\/ul>
- Spinosad:<\/strong> Another popular organic pest control<\/a> ingredient, spinosad is a type of bacteria that can help control lawn caterpillars. Make sure it\u2019s dry before the bees come out, as it\u2019s toxic to bees while it\u2019s wet.<\/li> <\/ul>
Chemical control options<\/h3>
Here are a few active ingredients to look for that will control sod webworms in your lawn:<\/p>
- Acephate<\/li>
- Carbaryl<\/li>
- Cyfluthrin<\/li>
- Ethoprop<\/li>
- Trichlorfon<\/li> <\/ul>
If you don\u2019t want to go to the store with a list of active ingredients in hand, keep it simple. Most insect control products at the big box stores (granular or liquid) will control sod webworms. Even if you don\u2019t see sod webworms on the front of the product, read the list of bugs on the back.<\/strong> Sod webworms are likely included in that list.<\/p> When to treat sod webworms:<\/strong> Whether you use biological or chemical solutions, try to treat early in the season, when the pests are about one-quarter inch long, for the best results. This is usually about two to three weeks after you see the moths flitting about the lawn in late spring. <\/p> If you don\u2019t catch the first generation when they\u2019re young, apply as soon as you have positively identified this bug. Sod webworms come out after the sun sets, so apply chemicals in the early evening to spray right as they come out to feed.<\/p>
Note:<\/strong> Not all webworm damage requires treatment. Stronger, healthier lawns may resist and recover from damage without treatment, while lawns that are already stressed may benefit from treatment.<\/p> How to prevent sod webworms in your lawn<\/span><\/h2> Preventing sod webworms or managing a small infestation is very doable. Here are a few DIY tips on how to get there:<\/p>
Proper lawn care<\/h3>
Basic lawn care is your best friend if you need to strengthen your lawn against sod webworms or any other recurring insect issue. Sod webworms feed on warm-season and cool-season lawns (see charts below), so we\u2019ll include information for both.<\/p>
Fertilize sparingly:<\/strong> Sod webworms and many other grass-dwelling insects love it when homeowners over-fertilize their lawns. Too much fertilization increases thatch levels (in some grasses) and provides lots of tender top growth, which insects love to munch on.<\/p>
How to identify sod webworm damage<\/span><\/h2> Sod webworm damage usually starts as small spots of browning turf that can grow and coalesce as feeding continues. Patches are irregular in shape and start to thin and turn brown.<\/p>
How to test for sod webworms<\/span><\/h2> If you want to know whether these brown patches are due to sod webworms, here are four ways to check:<\/p>
1. Hands and knees test<\/h3>
Sod webworms feed at night, so go into the lawn around dusk. Look for an area of damaged turf, and get on your hands and knees to look through the brown grass. You may see:<\/p>
- Tiny worms crawling about<\/li>
- Green-colored frass (excrement)<\/li>
- Eggs<\/li> <\/ul>
Also, look on the blades of grass. You\u2019ll see irregularly shaped bite marks on the blade with yellowing or browning where it\u2019s been chewed.<\/p>
Fun Fact: <\/strong>Some species of sod webworm caterpillars are translucent, and if they\u2019ve been munching on your grass, you\u2019ll see the green foliage in their intestinal tract. <\/p> 2. Drench test<\/h3>
If you can\u2019t spot them on your hands and knees, bring them to the surface with a drench test. <\/p>
- Choose an area where you see webworm damage<\/li>
- Mark out an area in the lawn that is 1 square yard in size\u00a0<\/li>
- Add 1 ounce of dish soap to 1 gallon of water<\/li>
- Pour the water over the area<\/li>
- If there are more than 15 larvae (healthy lawn) or 5 larvae (stressed turf) per square yard, consider treatment<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Look for moths<\/h3>
This is not a tip on how to ID sod webworms, but it’s another way to help determine if they are in your lawn. <\/p>
Moths are the adult version of sod webworms. If you go into the lawn in the evening and see moths flying just above the grass, that\u2019s another good indication that you have (or will have) webworms munching on your lawn. <\/p>
Moths release their eggs onto the grass in the early evening or late afternoon as they flit about. Within a week or so, the eggs will hatch and the larvae will start to feed. <\/p>
Note on feeding: <\/strong>Sod webworm larvae do the most damage (chomping and chewing) in the later (fifth and sixth) larval phases<\/a>. Damage in the earlier larval stages turns grass leaves into \u201cleaf skeletons\u201d and may be easy to miss.<\/p> 4. Keep an eye out for birds<\/h3>
There are many reasons for birds to be in your yard, but they can indicate there are pests like sod webworms in your lawn. If you notice more birds in your yard, especially if they land in these newly brown spots, you may want to check to see if sod webworms or another tasty insect is to blame.<\/p>
How to get rid of sod webworms in your lawn<\/span><\/h2> If you need to get rid of sod webworms, the good news is that you have several products to choose from. Check out these biological and chemical treatment options<\/a> and see which one best fits your treatment goals:<\/p> Biological control options<\/h3> - Bacillus thuringiensis <\/strong>ssp. <\/em><\/strong>Kurstaki <\/strong>OR ssp.<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>Aizawai<\/em><\/strong>: <\/strong>Also known as Bt, this bacteria works best on young larval stages. This product washes off with water, so plan to reapply after it rains or after you water the lawn. Apply it in the early evening when they come out to feed.<\/li> <\/ul>
Note: There are different types of Bt, so make sure you buy the Bt with \u201cKurstaki\u201d or \u201cAizawai\u201d<\/a> at the end of the name.<\/p> - Nematodes:<\/strong> Steinernema carpocapsae<\/em> nematodes are a type of beneficial nematode<\/a> that help control sod webworms and other undesirable insects in your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Azadirachtin:<\/strong> This product comes from the neem tree (just like neem oil).<\/li> <\/ul>
- Spinosad:<\/strong> Another popular organic pest control<\/a> ingredient, spinosad is a type of bacteria that can help control lawn caterpillars. Make sure it\u2019s dry before the bees come out, as it\u2019s toxic to bees while it\u2019s wet.<\/li> <\/ul>
Chemical control options<\/h3>
Here are a few active ingredients to look for that will control sod webworms in your lawn:<\/p>
- Acephate<\/li>
- Carbaryl<\/li>
- Cyfluthrin<\/li>
- Ethoprop<\/li>
- Trichlorfon<\/li> <\/ul>
If you don\u2019t want to go to the store with a list of active ingredients in hand, keep it simple. Most insect control products at the big box stores (granular or liquid) will control sod webworms. Even if you don\u2019t see sod webworms on the front of the product, read the list of bugs on the back.<\/strong> Sod webworms are likely included in that list.<\/p> When to treat sod webworms:<\/strong> Whether you use biological or chemical solutions, try to treat early in the season, when the pests are about one-quarter inch long, for the best results. This is usually about two to three weeks after you see the moths flitting about the lawn in late spring. <\/p> If you don\u2019t catch the first generation when they\u2019re young, apply as soon as you have positively identified this bug. Sod webworms come out after the sun sets, so apply chemicals in the early evening to spray right as they come out to feed.<\/p>
Note:<\/strong> Not all webworm damage requires treatment. Stronger, healthier lawns may resist and recover from damage without treatment, while lawns that are already stressed may benefit from treatment.<\/p> How to prevent sod webworms in your lawn<\/span><\/h2> Preventing sod webworms or managing a small infestation is very doable. Here are a few DIY tips on how to get there:<\/p>
Proper lawn care<\/h3>
Basic lawn care is your best friend if you need to strengthen your lawn against sod webworms or any other recurring insect issue. Sod webworms feed on warm-season and cool-season lawns (see charts below), so we\u2019ll include information for both.<\/p>
Fertilize sparingly:<\/strong> Sod webworms and many other grass-dwelling insects love it when homeowners over-fertilize their lawns. Too much fertilization increases thatch levels (in some grasses) and provides lots of tender top growth, which insects love to munch on.<\/p>
If you want to know whether these brown patches are due to sod webworms, here are four ways to check:<\/p>
1. Hands and knees test<\/h3>
Sod webworms feed at night, so go into the lawn around dusk. Look for an area of damaged turf, and get on your hands and knees to look through the brown grass. You may see:<\/p>
- Tiny worms crawling about<\/li>
- Green-colored frass (excrement)<\/li>
- Eggs<\/li> <\/ul>
Also, look on the blades of grass. You\u2019ll see irregularly shaped bite marks on the blade with yellowing or browning where it\u2019s been chewed.<\/p>
Fun Fact: <\/strong>Some species of sod webworm caterpillars are translucent, and if they\u2019ve been munching on your grass, you\u2019ll see the green foliage in their intestinal tract. <\/p>
2. Drench test<\/h3>
If you can\u2019t spot them on your hands and knees, bring them to the surface with a drench test. <\/p>
- Choose an area where you see webworm damage<\/li>
- Mark out an area in the lawn that is 1 square yard in size\u00a0<\/li>
- Add 1 ounce of dish soap to 1 gallon of water<\/li>
- Pour the water over the area<\/li>
- If there are more than 15 larvae (healthy lawn) or 5 larvae (stressed turf) per square yard, consider treatment<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Look for moths<\/h3>
This is not a tip on how to ID sod webworms, but it’s another way to help determine if they are in your lawn. <\/p>
Moths are the adult version of sod webworms. If you go into the lawn in the evening and see moths flying just above the grass, that\u2019s another good indication that you have (or will have) webworms munching on your lawn. <\/p>
Moths release their eggs onto the grass in the early evening or late afternoon as they flit about. Within a week or so, the eggs will hatch and the larvae will start to feed. <\/p>
Note on feeding: <\/strong>Sod webworm larvae do the most damage (chomping and chewing) in the later (fifth and sixth) larval phases<\/a>. Damage in the earlier larval stages turns grass leaves into \u201cleaf skeletons\u201d and may be easy to miss.<\/p>
4. Keep an eye out for birds<\/h3>
There are many reasons for birds to be in your yard, but they can indicate there are pests like sod webworms in your lawn. If you notice more birds in your yard, especially if they land in these newly brown spots, you may want to check to see if sod webworms or another tasty insect is to blame.<\/p>
How to get rid of sod webworms in your lawn<\/span><\/h2>
If you need to get rid of sod webworms, the good news is that you have several products to choose from. Check out these biological and chemical treatment options<\/a> and see which one best fits your treatment goals:<\/p>
Biological control options<\/h3>
- Bacillus thuringiensis <\/strong>ssp. <\/em><\/strong>Kurstaki <\/strong>OR ssp.<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>Aizawai<\/em><\/strong>: <\/strong>Also known as Bt, this bacteria works best on young larval stages. This product washes off with water, so plan to reapply after it rains or after you water the lawn. Apply it in the early evening when they come out to feed.<\/li> <\/ul>
Note: There are different types of Bt, so make sure you buy the Bt with \u201cKurstaki\u201d or \u201cAizawai\u201d<\/a> at the end of the name.<\/p>
- Nematodes:<\/strong> Steinernema carpocapsae<\/em> nematodes are a type of beneficial nematode<\/a> that help control sod webworms and other undesirable insects in your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Azadirachtin:<\/strong> This product comes from the neem tree (just like neem oil).<\/li> <\/ul>
- Spinosad:<\/strong> Another popular organic pest control<\/a> ingredient, spinosad is a type of bacteria that can help control lawn caterpillars. Make sure it\u2019s dry before the bees come out, as it\u2019s toxic to bees while it\u2019s wet.<\/li> <\/ul>
Chemical control options<\/h3>
Here are a few active ingredients to look for that will control sod webworms in your lawn:<\/p>
- Acephate<\/li>
- Carbaryl<\/li>
- Cyfluthrin<\/li>
- Ethoprop<\/li>
- Trichlorfon<\/li> <\/ul>
If you don\u2019t want to go to the store with a list of active ingredients in hand, keep it simple. Most insect control products at the big box stores (granular or liquid) will control sod webworms. Even if you don\u2019t see sod webworms on the front of the product, read the list of bugs on the back.<\/strong> Sod webworms are likely included in that list.<\/p>
When to treat sod webworms:<\/strong> Whether you use biological or chemical solutions, try to treat early in the season, when the pests are about one-quarter inch long, for the best results. This is usually about two to three weeks after you see the moths flitting about the lawn in late spring. <\/p>
If you don\u2019t catch the first generation when they\u2019re young, apply as soon as you have positively identified this bug. Sod webworms come out after the sun sets, so apply chemicals in the early evening to spray right as they come out to feed.<\/p>
Note:<\/strong> Not all webworm damage requires treatment. Stronger, healthier lawns may resist and recover from damage without treatment, while lawns that are already stressed may benefit from treatment.<\/p>
How to prevent sod webworms in your lawn<\/span><\/h2>
Preventing sod webworms or managing a small infestation is very doable. Here are a few DIY tips on how to get there:<\/p>
Proper lawn care<\/h3>
Basic lawn care is your best friend if you need to strengthen your lawn against sod webworms or any other recurring insect issue. Sod webworms feed on warm-season and cool-season lawns (see charts below), so we\u2019ll include information for both.<\/p>
Fertilize sparingly:<\/strong> Sod webworms and many other grass-dwelling insects love it when homeowners over-fertilize their lawns. Too much fertilization increases thatch levels (in some grasses) and provides lots of tender top growth, which insects love to munch on.<\/p>
- Spinosad:<\/strong> Another popular organic pest control<\/a> ingredient, spinosad is a type of bacteria that can help control lawn caterpillars. Make sure it\u2019s dry before the bees come out, as it\u2019s toxic to bees while it\u2019s wet.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Azadirachtin:<\/strong> This product comes from the neem tree (just like neem oil).<\/li> <\/ul>
- Nematodes:<\/strong> Steinernema carpocapsae<\/em> nematodes are a type of beneficial nematode<\/a> that help control sod webworms and other undesirable insects in your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Bacillus thuringiensis <\/strong>ssp. <\/em><\/strong>Kurstaki <\/strong>OR ssp.<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>Aizawai<\/em><\/strong>: <\/strong>Also known as Bt, this bacteria works best on young larval stages. This product washes off with water, so plan to reapply after it rains or after you water the lawn. Apply it in the early evening when they come out to feed.<\/li> <\/ul>
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration.jpg\")
![\"St.](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/st-augustinegrass-south-florida-1.jpg\")
![\"Zoysiagrass\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Zoysiagrass-800.jpg\")