How To Get Rid Of Army Worms

If you’ve noticed ragged holes in your lawn or skeletonized leaves in your garden, you might be dealing with army worms. Learning how to get rid of army worms quickly is key to saving your plants. These pests can appear suddenly and cause significant damage, but there are many effective natural methods to control them.

Armyworms are the larvae of certain moth species and get their name from their behavior of moving in large, destructive groups. They primarily feed on grasses but will happily munch on vegetables, ornamentals, and crops. The good news is you don’t need harsh chemicals to stop them. This guide focuses on safe, natural solutions that work.

This section covers the immediate steps you should take when you spot an infestation. Acting fast is crucial because these pests multiply quickly.

Confirm the Problem

First, make sure armyworms are the culprit. Look for these signs:

Brown or bare patches in your lawn that appear overnight.
Leaves with only veins remaining (skeletonized).
Visible worms, usually green, brown, or black with stripes along their body.
Increased bird activity on your lawn, as birds love to eat the worms.

Manual Removal Techniques

For small gardens or light infestations, physical removal can be very effective.

Handpicking: Wear gloves and drop worms into a bucket of soapy water. Do this early in the morning or late evening when they are most active.
Flushing Out: Use a soap flush to bring them to the surface. Mix 2 tablespoons of mild dish soap with a gallon of water and pour it over a damaged area. The worms will come up, and you can then collect them.

Use Natural Predators

Encouraging nature’s own pest control is a smart, long-term strategy. Many insects and animals eat armyworms.

Attract birds by putting up bird feeders, bird baths, and leaving some leaf litter for them to forage in.
Plant flowers that attract beneficial insects like parasitic wasps and ground beetles, which prey on the larvae.
Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides, as they will kill these helpful creatures too.

Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine powder made from fossilized algae. It’s harmless to humans and pets but lethal to soft-bodied insects. The powder causes tiny cuts on the worm’s body, leading to dehydration.

Wear a dust mask during application to avoid inhalation.
Lightly dust DE on dry plants and soil around affected areas, focusing on the base of plants.
Reapply after rain or heavy dew, as it loses effectiveness when wet.

Try Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

Bt is a naturally occurring soil bacteria that is an excellent organic pesticide. It specifically targets caterpillars like armyworms without harming other insects, pets, or people.

Purchase a Bt subspecies kurstaki product from a garden center.
Mix according to the label instructions.
Spray it directly onto the foliage where worms are feeding. They must ingest it for it to work, so thorogh coverage is important.
Apply in the late afternoon, as sunlight can degrade Bt.

Create Homemade Sprays

Simple ingredients from your kitchen can deter or kill armyworms.

Neem Oil Spray: Neem oil disrupts the insect’s life cycle. Mix 2 teaspoons of neem oil and 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap with a quart of water. Shake well and spray every 7 days.
Garlic or Chili Spray: Blend two garlic bulbs or a handful of hot chilies with water, strain, and add a spoon of soap to help the mixture stick. Spray on plants. This acts more as a strong repellent.

Maintain a Healthy Garden

Strong, healthy plants are more resilient to pest damage. Good garden practices can prevent infestations from taking hold.

Mow High: Keep your lawn taller (3-4 inches) to make it less appealing for egg-laying moths.
Water Deeply & Infrequently: This promotes deep root growth for a stronger lawn.
Remove Thatch: Thatch provides a hiding place for pests. Dethatch your lawn if the layer is over half an inch thick.
Practice Crop Rotation: In vegetable gardens, avoid planting the same crops in the same spot each year to break pest cycles.

When to Take More Serious Action

Sometimes, a natural infestation can be overwhelming. If you’ve tried the methods above for a week with no improvement, consider these options.

Insecticidal Soaps: These are OMRI-listed soaps that kill on contact but have no residual effect. They work best on young larvae.
Nematodes: Beneficial nematodes (Steinernema species) are microscopic worms you water into your soil. They seek out and kill armyworm pupae in the ground.

Prevention for Next Season

Stopping the next generation is the final step. Since armyworms are moths in their adult stage, disrupting their breeding helps alot.

Use pheromone traps to catch male moths and reduce mating.
Keep garden edges and fences clear of tall weeds where moths might shelter.
In fall, till your garden soil to expose and destroy overwintering pupae.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to kill armyworms naturally?

The fastest natural method is a combination of a soap flush to bring them to the surface and immediate handpicking. For larger areas, an application of Bt or diatomaceous earth can work within a day or two.

Will dish soap kill army worms?

Yes, a soapy water solution can kill armyworms on contact by breaking down their protective coating. Use 2 tablespoons of mild dish soap per gallon of water. It’s most effective for direct spraying on visible worms.

What home remedy kills armyworms?

Neem oil is one of the best home remedies. It acts as an antifeedant and growth disruptor. Diatomaceous earth and homemade chili/garlic sprays are also common and effective home solutions.

What attracts armyworms to my yard?

They are attracted to healthy, lush grass and certain crops like corn, lettuce, and beans. Outdoor lights at night can also attract the adult moths, leading them to lay eggs in your yard.

Will grass grow back after armyworms?

In most cases, yes. If the roots and crown of the grass plant are intact, your lawn will recover with proper watering and fertilization. Severe damage may require reseeding bare patches.

Dealing with armyworms can be frustrating, but a persistent, natural approach is often very successful. Start by confirming the infestation, then choose the manual or biological controls that fit your situation. Remember, a healthy, diverse garden is your best long-term defense. Regular monitoring is the key to catching any future problems early, before they become a full-blown invasion.