Katy's Ultimate Guide To Armyworm Identification, Prevention, And Management
With the hot temperatures and dry climate, it can be a full-time job keeping your Texas yard looking its best. The job becomes even more difficult when you have several armyworms feeding on your plants and grass.
Once these small and destructive bugs invade your yard, you will need the help of a qualified Katy pest control specialist to get rid of them for you. At Modern Pest Control, we specialize in armyworm control and know the proper steps that you should take to eliminate these creatures from your yard.
What Are Armyworms? Understanding Their Life Cycle And Behavior
Armyworms are not actually worms at all. Instead, armyworms are caterpillars or moth larvae. When they are caterpillars, they can measure around 1 ½ to 2 inches long. They typically have dark-colored bodies that feature brown, yellow, green, and red stripes. When an armyworm is in the larva stage, it will eat almost continually. It will snack on various plants, leaves, and grass until mature enough to build a cocoon and transform into a moth.
Once the armyworm encases itself into a cocoon, it has left the larva stage and entered the pupal stage. It can stay in a pupa stage for one to three weeks. After it has fully developed into an adult, a fully-grown moth will emerge from the cocoon. Adult moths usually have brown wings covered in dark and light brown spots. Their bodies are generally thick, and their wings can spread to measure over an inch wide.
Armyworm Infestations: Signs, Symptoms, And Damage
Armyworms in Katy will destroy your lawn if they are left alone long enough. Some of the signs of armyworms that you may notice around your yard could include:
- Brown patches in your yard
- Jagged blades of grass
- Cear blades of grass in your yard
- Bald patches or spots of missing grass in your yard
- Holes chewed in blades of grass
- Blades of grass that look as if they have been cut by the ground
Armyworms will eat the green parts of grass. Many times, they will leave the outer skin on the blade of grass; this leaves the grass looking like glass. If you see this type of grass in your yard, you almost certainly have armyworms on your property.
Also, if you see an increased number of birds in your yard, you should have your lawn inspected for armyworms. Birds love to snack on these tiny caterpillars and often land in your yard if they see armyworms crawling around.
Preventing Armyworm Outbreaks: Proactive Measures
To prevent armyworms on your property, you should focus on deterring the moths from your property. If you have several armyworm moths hanging around your property, you will soon have eggs, then caterpillars crawling around your lawn. Don't leave your outdoor lights on all night, as light attracts moths.
Also, you should remove any weeds or excessive vegetation from your yard. You should also mow your yard regularly to make your lawn as inhospitable as possible. Lastly, if you do see any signs of armyworms, you should contact a professional armyworm control specialist as soon as possible. By taking early action, you will reduce the amount of damage that your yard sustains from armyworms.
Professional Pest Control: Long-Term Armyworm Control
If you see signs of armyworms in your Katy yard, you should call us as soon as possible. At Modern Pest Control, we can get rid of the armyworms on your lawn and keep them away for good.