Fall armyworms — how to treat them + save your lawn

Fall armyworms are an invasive species native to eastern and central North America and throughout South America. The armyworm is the name given to the larval stage (the most destructive stage) of the insect, which later grows into a moth.

They are attracted to wet conditions and long grasses, and are extremely damaging, leaving glass blades ragged or creating large bare spots in one’s lawn.

Armyworms can be a great inconvenience to the appearance of your lawn, so it’s important to learn how you can get them under control. Many Huntsvillians have already reported seeing the result of these pests in their yards. Read below for at-home remedies and local pest control services that can help you get your yard back into shape:

At-home remedies for fall armyworms

These are some great, affordable methods to removing fall armyworms from your gardens and lawns:

• Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) products — Products containing B.t. effectively remove larvae without harming other beneficial insects. Brands like Monterey and Captain Jack’s sell cost-effective and well-rated sprays.
• Beneficial nematodes — These microscopic organisms feed on many invasive pests, including armyworms. You can find Heterohabditis bacteriophora (a species that specifically feeds on armyworms) sold by different brands including ARBICO Organics.
• Neem oil — Spraying your plants with a neem oil solution (you can either make it yourself or purchase from a trusted brand) twice a week is a great preventative measure against pests.

Pest control services in the Huntsville area

There are plenty of trustworthy, locally-operated pest control services in Huntsville that you can reach out to for armyworm termination.

• Crown Service Termite + Pest Control
• SafeSpray Pest Control + Termite
• A Plus Pest Control
• ATEC Pest Control
• ClearDefense Pest Control
• + many more!

Interested in what else is happening in Huntsville? Follow us on TikTok!

@hvilleblast

🚗 We’ve gathered a bunch of local spots with a drive thru!

♬ Drifting in a Daydream (Instrumental) – SoulChef

Stay in the know, Huntsville! Follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok, Threads and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.