Watch out, Sod webworms also about. What to look for and what to do next!

Looks like I was quick to pick only one disastrous lawn pest to hit local turf because this week another lawn tested and this time it was very clearly Sod webworm that was the culprit.

Sod webworm, despite the name is another cater pillar. This one is readily identified as responsible for your lawn damage by what appear to be spider webs in the sod, hence the name.

Sod webworm isnt as readily spotted as army worm. The egg sacks dont appear as prolifically around the affected area and I dont believe sod webworm is affected by a parasitic wasp like army worm is.

This lawn was happy and healthy when I was there 2 weeks back.

Now you can clearly see distinct patches of lawn damage.

Have a look at the image and you can see almost in the centre a white spattering of webs. This lawn had a number of similar patches

a tell tale sign of sod webworm

Sod webworm damage certainly appears to be less impactful than army worm however left unchecked this lawn would have been destroyed in a matter of days or weeks aswell. The backyard was also suffering. Who knows how many neighbouring properties could have been impacted.

So, what should you do if you believe you had sod webworm? Well, the same steps as trying to identify army worm. Grab yourself a bucket of water wit ha dash of dish soap in it and irrigate a patch of affected lawn.

Almost immediately youll spot life coming to the surface for air.

if what you spot coming up looks anything like these, looks like youve got some sod webworm.

Next, same as army worm. Head on down to hammerbarn or your local ag store and pick up a product containing bifenthrin.
Dose the lawn and monitor the results. Below is a quick little video of testing and the sod webworm response.