Lawn pests can be a major source of frustration for Ohio homeowners. The trouble with lawn pest damage is that it often goes unnoticed until it is severe. Often, sneaky pests are hiding out and homeowners have no idea they have a problem.

This includes webworms in the grass.

Sod webworms tend to hide during the day and feast at night, so until their damage becomes noticeable, homeowners don’t always realize that they have them.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the facts you ought to know about sod webworms, which are often referred to as “lawn moths” (which is what the worms turn into). Understanding these pests can help you prevent sod webworm damage.

Jump to:

What are Sod Webworms? 
What do Webworms Turn Into?
Identifying Sod Webworm Damage
Will Grass Grow Back After Sod Webworm Damage?
How to Eliminate Webworms
Choosing Lawn Pest Control Services in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky

What are Sod Webworms?

Sod webworms are the caterpillar stage of what turn into lawn moths. But naturally, these two names are used interchangeably (even though they just indicate different stages of growth).

Once grown, these pale brown moths in the grass are known to have prominent “snouts.” A female sod webworm can lay up to 200 eggs, which will hatch into young larvae within 7 to 10 days.

Sod webworm larvae (caterpillar stage) cause lawn damage as they feed from July through early August and then pupate. The second generation of adult moths is active from late July through August. Multiple generations of sod webworms can occur annually.

Sod webworms tend to hide during the day and feed at night. They hide in burrows that they dig or in layers of thatch in your lawn.

What do Webworms Turn Into?

A sod webworm is the larval or caterpillar stage of a lawn moth. So, sod webworms eventually turn into lawn moths. It is during the larval stage that damage can be done to the turf. The adult moths do not feed on your lawn but instead focus on reproducing and continuing the cycle.

Typically these moths have white wings and prefer to continue to hang out in your turf.

Identifying Sod Webworm Damage

Sod webworm damage typically shows up as brown spots on the lawn. If you look closely, these are often punctured with holes from birds who have attempted to pull sod webworms from their burrows.

During periods of drought, sod webworm damage commonly goes unnoticed. The lawn might already be brown from drought dormancy.

Once smaller brown spots start growing together, the damage tends to become more recognizable.

Will Grass Grow Back After Sod Webworm Damage?

Yes, most of the time grass will grow back after sod webworm damage, particularly if the root system has remained healthy and if the problem is caught early enough. Since webworms feed at the surface, sometimes the root system can remain intact and alive as long as too much damage isn’t done.

If sod webworms have feasted for a long time, unnoticed, you may need to fill in any thin areas or bare patches with lawn aeration and overseeding in the fall.

Lawns that have experienced sod webworm damage may need a little TLC as they bounce back. This includes paying attention to proper watering.

How to Eliminate Webworms

Sod webworm treatment involves the use of curative products that can attack larval populations while they are feeding. Of course, this is contingent on finding webworms in grass as quickly as possible.

This is one of the reasons why having a lawn care professional on your property regularly is so valuable. They are not only there to apply products like fertilization and weed control, but they are keeping an eye on problems that might arise.

Choosing Lawn Pest Control Services in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky

Your lawn is important to you and you don’t want to risk losing it to lawn pests. That’s why it makes sense to partner with a lawn care professional that offers lawn pest services.

At Oasis Turf & Tree, our goal is to provide you with peace of mind. Yes, we’re there to treat your lawn with products like fertilizer and weed control, but we’re also there to keep an eye on any potential problems that could be brewing.

Fortunately, we don’t see sod webworm damage too often. It’s not one of the most common pests here, and a solid lawn care program helps to deter them even more. But when we do see it, we can take swift action.

At the end of the day, it comes down to being able to let go of your worries and know that your lawn is getting everything that it needs to perform its best.

Want to learn more about professional lawn care services for your Cincinnati, Dayton, Ohio, or Northern Kentucky home? Request your quote, choose the lawn care program that’s right for you, and then sit back and relax as the pros help you get the lawn of your dreams without the worries.

Image Sources: sod webworm moth, sod webworm wings