Armyworms Are Active Right Now
EVERYONE needs to be on the lookout for armyworms in your Midlothian or Prosper lawn right now!
It's looking like this is going to be a bad year for armyworms, as we have had over twenty calls about them in the last 24 hours—so they are here and active RIGHT NOW.
What Are Armyworms?
Armyworms emerge when the temperatures are right to FEED ON YOUR LAWN. Whether Bermuda or St. Augustine, if they go untreated, they will destroy a lawn in a matter of days.
Armyworm identification:
- Caterpillar with green and/or brown stripes
- Grow to about an inch long
- Move in "armies" across lawns
- Most active in early morning or evening
- Hide in thatch during the day
Signs of Armyworm Damage
What to look for:
- Grass blades chewed down to bare stems
- Brown patches that appear overnight
- Birds feeding actively on your lawn (eating the worms)
- Grass that looks mowed unevenly
- Skeletonized grass blades
- Rapidly spreading damage
How fast they work:Armyworms can completely destroy sections of your lawn in 2-3 days if left untreated!
How to Check for Armyworms
The soapy water test:
- Mix 2 tablespoons dish soap with 1 gallon water
- Pour over a 1-square-foot area of suspected damage
- Wait 5-10 minutes
- Armyworms will surface if present
Visual inspection:
- Part the grass and look deep into the thatch
- Check early morning or late evening when they're active
- Look for actual caterpillars feeding
Immediate Treatment Required
If you have armyworms, you need to get a bifenthrin application down—yourself or by a professional—ASAP. You can find bifenthrin products in most garden centers.
Treatment options:
- Bifenthrin (most effective)
- Permethrin
- Carbaryl (Sevin)
- Lambda-cyhalothrin
Application tips:
- Treat entire lawn, not just damaged areas
- Apply in late afternoon/evening for best results
- Water in lightly after application
- Retreat in 7-10 days if needed
- Don't mow for 24 hours after treatment
Don't Assume You're Safe
If you don't have armyworms right now, make sure you stay on the lookout for the next 10 days or so. They can literally show up overnight, so do not assume you are in the clear if you do not see them right now!
Why armyworms appear suddenly:
- Adult moths lay thousands of eggs at once
- Eggs hatch within days
- Young caterpillars grow rapidly
- Entire population can appear overnight
- Weather patterns influence outbreaks
Prevention and Monitoring
During active armyworm season:
- Check your lawn daily
- Watch for moth activity at dusk
- Look for bird feeding patterns
- Inspect after rain or irrigation
- Monitor neighbors' lawns for outbreaks
High-risk conditions:
- Warm, humid weather in North Texas
- Late summer through fall
- After periods of heavy rain
- Lawns near open fields or pastures
Why This Year Is Bad for Armyworms
Weather conditions have created perfect conditions:
- Ideal temperatures for moth activity
- Moisture from recent rains
- Stressed lawns from summer heat
- Multiple generations developing quickly
Professional Armyworm Control
At Vista Lawn and Pest, we provide emergency armyworm treatments in Midlothian and Prosper with rapid response to stop damage before it spreads. Our comprehensive pest control and lawn care programs include monitoring for armyworms and other destructive pests, combined with our fertilization and weed control services.
Check your lawn!
Watch the video below to see what armyworm damage looks like and learn how to identify these destructive pests in your North Texas lawn.
For emergency armyworm treatment and comprehensive pest control in Midlothian and Prosper, contact Vista Lawn and Pest.
