Turf - Armyworms

Armyworms are an occasional problem this time of year. The move out of barley and wheat fields on farms and move to neighboring properties. They consume grasses and will attack turf. The following is a picture and recommended controls.

Armworms moving into an property next to a barley field.

Control of armyworms can be obtained with the use of pyrethroid insecticides such as bifenthrin (Talstar), cyfluthrin (Tempo), lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar), and permethrin (Astro). Once they reach over 1.5 inches, they will start to move into the ground to pupate.

Gordon Johnson, Extension Horticulture Agent, UD, Kent County