Sod webworms are a lawn pest which lives in turf and eats grass. In fact the adults don’t eat but its their young, small “caterpillar” larvae which do all the damage.
SOD WEBWORM DAMAGE ^
The adult sod webworm is a moth which likes to live it’s life in and around grass yards. Once impregnated, female sod webworms will move throughout the yard and as they land in different areas, they’ll lay eggs which fall into the thatch of the lawn.
During the course of summer these eggs hatch out small caterpillar like worms that feed on the blades of most any turf grass found in the United States. Typical damage will appear as if someone is cutting sections of the lawn. Unfortunately this “cutting” can be extremely low and cause a host of turf issues.
WEBWORM BIOLOGY ^
In early spring, adult moths hatch from overwintering pupae. These adults will mate and females will start dropping eggs.
Eggs will soon hatch in early summer and the hatching larvae will be quick to feed.
There are several sod webworm species in the United States. Most will appear as clear to green when young and then tan to green as they age and grow up. This process will take just a few weeks but the larvae will start small and thin; maybe 1/4″ to 1/2′ in length.
In a few weeks they will spin a pupae cocoon and hatch out into adults in just another couple of weeks. These adults will continue the webworm cycle by mating and laying eggs in the same areas. In the south, sod webworms can generate 3 generations a year. Up north there will be 1-2 cycles per season.
At the end of summer, the feeding, young sod webworm caterpillars will go dormant in their pupae stage and hibernate during the winter. They do this down in the soil and there they’ll stay till the following spring.
If left untreated, small population of sod webworms will grow annually until their impact will be noticeable one season. In the spring when they first emerge, it’s hard to see them but by late summer the damage they do will become noticeable as populations peak.
HOW TO TREAT SOD WEBWORMS ^
MAXXTHOR GRANULES should be applied first by spreading them out over the turf at the rate of 25 lbs for every 20,000 sq/ft. Treatments should be made every 2 months during the warm season starting in early spring. These granules are slow to release and will filter down into the ground a few inches where they’ll control sod webworm larvae and pupae as they hatch. These same granules will also get late season sod webworm caterpillars making their way into the soil to hibernate effectively stopping the cycle.
BEST SOD WEBWORM SPRAYS ^
After applying the granules, spray over the top with either MAXXTHOR XTS or CYONARA RTS. The Maxxthor is super strong and can treat up to 3 acres; The Cyonara more suited for small areas and safe enough to spray over garden vegetables.
Use 1 quart of Cyonara per 20,000 sq/ft and apply it at least once a month during the active season. For the average 5,000-10,000 sq/ft yard, expect to use 1/4 to 1/2 of the jug per treatment. For active problems, treat every 2 weeks until the problem is gone. Typically this will take at least 2 applications spaced 2 weeks apart.
If you have a yard 20,000 sq/ft or more to treat, go with the MAXXTHOR EC. This form will prove a lot more economical to use and side by side a lot stronger.
The rate is 1 oz per 5,000 sq/ft which is about 8 oz per acre.
Use a good HOSE END SPRAYER to make the application. Our 20 Gallon Sprayer will require 1 oz of Maxxthor and then some water to fill the sprayer to the 5 gallon line. Next, you’ll hook it to your garden hose and spray the entire amount over 5,000 sq/ft. For 10,000 sq/ft, you’ll add 2 oz of concentrate and fill the line to the 10 gallon line (which is about half way up) and then apply that amount over 10,000 sq/ft.
CONTACT US ^
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Sherry says
How do I stop earthworms from crawling on my driveway
Tech Support says
Sherry,
Earthworms are not an insect so there is no direct way to kill off active populations. But you can repel them using a product known as Pest Rid.
First, apply the Pest Rid Granules over the turf where you suspect they’re coming from. In this case, it will most likely be either side of your drive way. Use 1 lb of granules per 250 sq/ft and renew the application every 30-60 days for long term control.
Pest Rid Granules: https://bugspray.com/exempt/granule/pest-rid-exempt-granules-2-pound
Next, spray over the top using Pest Rid Spray. This is essential to the process and will help get immediate results; the granules will absorb the spray and keep it active for 30-60 days.
Please note: using the spray by itself will only be active 3-4 weeks and the granules used by themselves won’t help at all. In other words, you must use both in conjunction with one another for this process to work.
Pest Rid Spray: https://bugspray.com/exempt/liquid/pest-rid-exempt-liquid-repellent
Pest Rid uses all natural food grade actives to repel insect and animal pests so it won’t hurt anything. But by over exposing them to these actives, the worms will migrate elsewhere.
Tech Support
U-Spray Bugspray
http://www.bugspray.com
Toll Free: 1-800-877-7290
PS: Are you signed up for our informative twice a month Pest Report Newsletter? More info here: https://bugspray.com/bugspray_pest_report.html
Evette Higgins says
I reside in Houston Texas, zone nine. It is now October, going on November. Is it too late to treat sod worms? I have a high infestation of moths!
Tech Support says
Evette,
Treating now is important for several reasons. First, the moths you see are mating and right after that, they’ll start laying eggs. Failure to treat them directly now while their active will result in more egg laying in your turf.
Second, it sounds like your yard has had previous activity? If so, there are larvae active even now. These are the ones that hatch from eggs and in general, they take several months to complete their cycle. So even if you don’t see them, there is a good chance some are active so again, treating them now will also reduce the amount of their activity.
Lastly, because your yard is clearly “scented” with webworm pheromones, it will be attracting more moths to your property the rest of the fall. All these moths will be looking for a mate and then to lay eggs. To prevent this from happening, you need to treat. The spray will serve as a repellent keeping them away but it will also kill any that choose to stick around.
And if you want the problem gone, plan on treating for the better part of a whole year. This means renewing the application every 60-90 days with the granules and liquid treatments listed above.
Technical Support
U-Spray Bugspray
http://www.bugspray.com
1-800-877-7290
PS: Are you signed up for our informative twice a month Pest Report Newsletter? More info here: http://bugspray.com/bugspray_pest_report.html