The 2025 Armyworm Infestation Has Begun
If you looked out recently and thought, “Hey, why is my yard patchier than my uncle’s beard after a bad shave?” then congratulations, you may have a front-row seat to the 2025 Wichita Armyworm Invasion! But don’t worry, Wichita’s favorite Boomer with Greenbelt Lawns is here to help restore peace to your turf.
What Are Armyworms?
To quote Anthony Horowitz, “You cannot defeat your enemies until you know who they are.”
Armyworms (yes, that’s spelled correctly, we checked) aren’t actually soldiers, but they do march in formation… Right across your beautiful lawn. These little green-to-black caterpillars (the evil alter egos of totally harmless white moths) can strip a yard faster than your dog can find a mud puddle.
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is especially notorious for hitting Kansas turf in, you guessed it, the fall. This year, according to an article by KSNW, they are getting an early start to their invasion due to the increased moisture we’ve received in Wichita this year.
Armyworms lay massive clusters of eggs that hatch into hungry, stripy caterpillars about ½ to 1½ inches long. Look for those signature Y-shaped markings on their heads, kind of like a grubby little helmet.
Signs You’ve Got an Armyworm Infestation on Your Lawn
- Rapidly appearing brown patches that seem to spread overnight
- Grass that’s been chewed down to the stems
- Birds having a buffet on your lawn, they know armyworms taste better than your neighbor’s barbecue
- If you get on your hands and knees out in your yard, you might spot caterpillars with stripes running along their sides and that Y-shaped head.
For more egg-citing info, local turf pros recommend checking fence posts, decks, and even windowsills for the fuzzy egg clusters armyworm moths leave behind. Learn more about armyworms from these resources from the K-State Research and Extension Office:
- Problem: Fall Armyworm – Spodoptera Frugiperda
- Fall Armyworm Insect Pest of Turfgrass
- Home and Horticultural Pest – Turfgrass Insects
Rain, Rain, Go Away…Fungus is Moving In
Armyworms aren’t marching alone this summer. Thanks to all the rain we’ve had, Wichita lawns are now the perfect party pad for lawn fungus. Too much moisture can turn your lush, green carpet into a yellow-patched, spongy mess. Common fungal foes like Brown Patch and Dollar Spot love wet weather almost as much as armyworms do.
Signs You’ve Got Lawn Fungus
- Yellow or brown rings and spots, often with a “frogeye” pattern
- Greasy or flattened-looking grass
- Mushrooms popping up after rain showers
Fungus can be sneaky, though; it doesn’t always announce itself with mushrooms. Sometimes, you’ll see the aftermath instead: dead patches, rot, and thinning turf. Check out our article Fungus on Your Fescue? for more information about the potential lawn fungus on your lawn.
Don’t Do Battle Alone, Call Boomer at Greenbelt Lawns
With all these lawn villains on the loose, what’s a Wichita homeowner to do? This is where Boomer from Greenbelt Lawns comes in. Forget playing “guess that disease or pest.” Boomer can diagnose the cause, whether it’s armyworms, fungus, or just your neighbor’s overzealous weed eater.
It’s important to mention, left to their own devices, armyworms can kill a lawn before you even realize that they’ve been there, leaving you with dead turf and expensive reseeding costs in the fall. So, it’s important to battle these pests at the right time.
Professional treatment puts you ahead of the curve and may be the only way to achieve effective coverage of the specific chemicals necessary to kill armyworms and lawn fungus. Armyworms can only be controlled effectively when caught at the right stage. Treating too soon may be ineffective, and if you treat it too late, your lawn may already be toast. Not to mention that fungus is also best handled by lawn care experts who can tell brown patch from heat stress, and other common lawn issues.
So, before you go all “DIY lawn warrior,” save yourself the backache and guessing games and call in the real hero! Text Boomer at 316-807-2112 for a lawn diagnosis that will get you back to enjoying your backyard, armyworm and fungus free!
Local Lawn Factoids
- The Sedgwick County Extension Office reports higher-than-usual armyworm numbers this summer so watch out, especially on Bermudagrass and fescue lawns!
- Experts recommend checking your lawn at least twice a week during outbreak season for armyworms and fungus.
- Professional, licensed service providers like Greenbelt Lawns, have access to stronger treatments than you’ll find at the garden store and understand how and when to effectively apply these chemicals to maximize treatment results.
Don’t let your yard become an all-you-can-eat buffet for bugs and fungi, call the pros, laugh in the face of danger, and let Greenbelt Lawns help you win the battle for your turf this year!
Citations
KSNW Wichita via Yahoo! News | Fall armyworms hit west Wichita early
The Kansas City Star via Yahoo! News | This insect could kill your Kansas lawn. Here’s what to do about armyworm infestations
Channel 12 News in YouTube | Experts warn of the return of Army Worms to Wichita
K-State Research and Extension | Problem: Fall Armyworm – Spodoptera frugiperda
K-State Research and Extension | Fall Armyworm Insect Pest of Trufgrass
Greenbelt Lawns | Fungus on Your Fescue?
Tree Top Nursery & Landscaping | Garden Tips | Mushrooms in the Lawn
K-State Research and Extension | Home and Horticultural Pests – Turfgrass Insects
K-State Research and Extension Sedgwick County | Gardening & Lawn Care