Armyworms
Sometimes it can be difficult to diagnose dry lawn verus lawn damage at a glance in Macon / Warner Robins. We are all quick to label dry, browning turf as drought damage this time of year, but did you know grubs could cause similar looking damage? Insects can wreak havoc on your lawn, beneath the grass and in your soil. Grubs and armyworms are two of the biggest perpetrators and if they attack your lawn once, they are likely to strike again. As homeowners, there are preventative measures you can take to protect your lawn from these destructive pests.
What is an Armyworm?
Armyworm
Armyworms can be a real pest in Macon / Warner Robins. They are moth larvae that look like caterpillars. They’re 1-2 inches in size and progress from a tan or pale green color to a darker brown or green color. While they may be hard to spot, the damage they cause is not. Armyworms are surface feeders that eat leaf tissue and destroy lawns one blade at a time. With early detection, armyworm damage can be treated with insecticides. If you notice brown spots in your grass and the blade edges have been chewed, you’ve likely got armyworms. Another sign to watch for is small, tan moths flying above your lawn. If you can catch the issue early and treat with insecticides before the armyworms have caused damage to the crown of the grass, recovery will be a lot easier.
What is a Grub?
lawn grubs
Grubs are beetle larvae that have been known to cause substantial damage to your lawn. They are a grayish white color and have a brown head. Grubs resemble baby shrimp with their “C” shaped body. Common beetles like June beetles and Japanese beetles lay their eggs in soil. The larvae then feed on the grass roots until they become adult beetles. Grubs can be even harder to detect than armyworms due to the fact that they feed below ground. They weaken the root system and your turf’s ability to get its needed nutrients and water. Typically, grass damage is the first sign of a grub infestation. Grub damage often resembles injury from drought with scattered, dry brown spots. As the grubs feed, the grass turns yellow and you can pull it up easily since there are no roots. You can treat your lawn with insecticides, but recovery from the damage can be costly and lengthy. Your best approach is preventing grubs altogether.
How Can I Prevent Grubs and Armyworms?
In addition to insecticides that you can purchase in Macon / Warner Robins from your local Lowe’s or Home Depot or nurseries, Liquid Lawn can now treat these problems with a proactive service that’s prevents grubs, armyworms and other harmful insects like billbugs during the summer season. It can be applied to all types of grass and with just one early summer application, your lawn will be protected throughout the growing season. This insecticide controls turf insects with minimal product and while it prevents harmful insects, it doesn’t discourage beneficial insects like earthworms and honeybees from flourishing in your lawn. Find out more about harmful insect here.
Out of sight, out of mind may not be the best mantra when it comes to harmful lawn pests. They’ll only be out of mind until they’ve severely injured your lawn. Instead of waiting until you have a big problem on your hands, take a proactive approach in protecting your lawn from grubs, armyworms and other harmful insects. Ask your Lawn Care Specialist for additional details about this service at your next scheduled treatment.