Sasha CampbellIf you see small tan, gray, or brown moths flying over your lawn at dusk and notice small brown patches in the grass, you may have sod webworms.
These pests are common in the southern U.S. [1]. The larvae are destructive, so getting rid of them as soon as possible is essential.
Fortunately, there are several home remedies and natural measures to help control sod webworms. In this post, I will discuss some of those methods.
Identification
These pesky critters love to make their homes in the thatch layer of lawns.
Adult sod webworms are also called lawn moths. larvae, which are the young caterpillars, can cause serious damage to your lawn.
Adult sod webworm moths are usually about ½ to ¾ inch long. They are tan, gray, or brown and often have darker markings on their wings.
However, the easiest way to identify them is by the larvae’s habit of damaging turfgrass, leaving small, ragged brown spots. If you’re seeing this kind of damage, you’re likely dealing with sod webworms.
You might not even know you have a problem with sod webworms until it’s too late.
How to Get Rid of Sod Webworms Naturally
Below, we will discuss how to treat sod webworms using natural methods.
1. Spinosad
One way to get rid of sod webworms is to use spinosad.
This product is an insecticide that’s widely used in organic gardening. You can purchase it online or at a farm store.
Spinosad is effective against a wide range of insects, especially sod webworms. This sod webworm treatment is low in toxicity for people and pets, which is a big plus.
2. Beneficial Nematodes
These are tiny, soil-dwelling creatures that kill sod webworms and other soil-dwelling pests. You can buy them online or from a garden center; they’re easy to use.
All you have to do is mix them with water and pour the mixture over the infested area. The nematodes quickly find the sod webworm larvae in the soil and kill them.
3. Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soap may help if you spray the caterpillars directly while they are feeding. Because sod webworms hide in the thatch during the day, this method usually works best when combined with other control methods.
Insecticidal soap is available at most garden stores. It comes in a concentrate that can be sprayed onto the damaged areas.
However, read the directions carefully, and always test a small area first to ensure the soap doesn’t harm the grass.
4. Natural Predators
You may not know this, but some natural predators feed on sod webworms. These predators can help keep the sod webworm population under control.
These predators include ground beetles, tachinid flies, earwigs, birds, and Braconid wasps.
If you have a garden, consider inviting some of these predators by planting flowers and other plants that attract them.
5. Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt-k)
Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt-k) is a natural bacterium that kills caterpillars like sod webworms.
You can purchase it at most garden stores, but follow the instructions on the package.
6. Rake the Lawn Regularly
One of the easiest home remedies for eliminating grass webworms and preventing an outbreak is to rake your lawn regularly.
This helps expose the caterpillars to birds and other predators while also keeping your lawn looking neat.
7. Soapy Water
Another cheap and effective sod webworm treatment is soapy water. It might not seem like it would work, but trust us—it does.
Just mix one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with one gallon of water. Then, pour the mixture over the affected areas and wait a few minutes.
The soapy water irritates the caterpillars, causing them to crawl to the surface. You can then crush them.
8. Essentria IC Pro
Essentria IC Pro is a plant-oil-based insecticide that quickly kills sod webworms when sprayed on them. It also works against mole crickets and many other pests.
9. Azera
Another organic insecticide, Azera, is a great way to kill these pests naturally.
It’s made from pyrethrins and azadirachtin. It also works against many other pests, so it’s an all-rounder.
10. Do Not Over-Fertilize the Lawn
You might be tempted to over-fertilize your lawn to improve its appearance, but this may be the worst thing you can do.
Using too much fertilizer can make grass grow very fast. In some lawns, this can lead to a thicker thatch layer where sod webworms like to hide.
Takeaway
Several steps can help get rid of sod webworm moths and their hungry caterpillars. These methods can help control sod webworms while being gentler on your lawn and the environment when used as directed.
If you’re experiencing problems with sod webworms, consider trying one of these methods. You may be surprised at how well they work.
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