What’s creeping in your grass after dark and munching on your lawn? Hint: It’s not a garden gnome! It’s probably the sod webworm, a hard-to-reach pest that hides in the soil during the day and dines on your grass at night. The infamous sod webworms are at large this July and August, and they’re coming for your lawn. If you notice an invisible grass glutton leaving brown, broken grass blades behind, we’re here to help. Check out our ultimate guide for getting rid of sod webworms in your Massachusetts lawn!

What Are Sod Webworms?

Sod webworms are no friend to homeowners. While their adult moth form is harmless to turfgrass, their juvenile caterpillar form will make a meal out of your lawn. As an adult, sod webworms are brown moths that range from 1/2- to 3/4-inch long and flutter low around grass. As larvae, the caterpillars are green, gray, or brown in color and less than an inch long. However, their easiest identifying feature is the three rows of dots that line their backs.

How to Recognize Sod Webworm Damage

Sod webworm damage is no joke. An army of sod webworms will chew up large areas of grass blades, leaving them brown and punctured. You’ll notice that small, yellow patches of turf will gradually become bigger, browner patches as the worms move outward. Since healthy foliage is vital for your grass to photosynthesize for continual growth, it’s essential to put a stop to the pests at once.

How can we get to the root of the problem? By performing a soap flush: the best way to catch the culprits. Mix two teaspoons of dish soap in a gallon of water to perform a soap flush. Then, drench an affected area with the solution (don’t worry – dish soap is 100% safe for your grass). Within five minutes, those wriggly critters will emerge from the soil at the edges of the affected grass. Then, count how many emerge to determine how severe the issue is. If there are more than five larvae per square yard, it’s time to get tactical.

How to Get Rid of Sod Webworms: Natural and Chemical Control Methods

There are two ways to get rid of sod webworms: the all-natural way and the packs-a-punch way. If you’re considering whether organic or traditional control methods will work best to banish your pest issue, here is a breakdown of your options:

• Natural: Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki (otherwise known as Btk) is a rod-shaped bacterium that can be used against webworms. Introducing it into the soil releases a toxin that paralyzes the worms’ stomachs and prevents them from eating the grass. While this method can be beneficial in some cases, the beneficial bacteria can quickly die in direct sunlight or excessive water. So, consider this natural method if you have a minor sod webworm issue.

• Chemical: Now we’re talking! While chemical control may be more effective than natural methods, professional applications are completely safe for your family and pets. We recommend discussing insecticide applications for more severe infestations with a professional lawn care team. Synthetic pyrethroids are the most common methods for controlling infestations and are proven safe when applied according to the label instructions. When ingested by sod webworms, the chemical attacks its nervous system and paralyzes the pests, preventing them from causing more damage.

Preventing Sod Webworms in Your Massachusetts Lawn

There’s no way around it: Regular lawn maintenance is the #1 best way to prevent a sod webworm infestation. A lawn care program gives your lawn everything it needs to remain healthy and deter pests. Consistent fertilizing builds strong roots and thick foliage, which is far more likely to bounce back from webworm bites. Plus, MissionGreen’s lawn care program includes a sweeping Surface Insect Control application in the early summer that tackles pests before they can do damage. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Homeowner lawn care is also incredibly beneficial for boosting your lawn’s natural defenses. Proper mowing helps maintain thick grass foliage, which prevents sod webworms from settling into the soil. Finally, appropriate watering practices, like watering deeply and infrequently, aid in developing a strong and deep root system that reduces the likelihood of infestations.

Stop Sod Webworms in Their Tracks With Regular Lawn Care: Hire MissionGreen Today!

Show those pesky caterpillars who’s boss. MissionGreen gives New England lawns everything they need to thrive in the face of sod webworms. Contact us today to experience the MissionGreen difference from Chicopee, MA, and beyond!