Lawn grubs (Armyworms) so famous they have made it to Bluey cartoon land. The problem is however the opposite of happy when your lawn becomes their buffet smorgers board.
Speak to one of our experts for the simple measures you can take to ensure the issue is resolved immediately. We have the proven grounds on treatments and preventative measures to resolve those brown dry patches to your lawn and restore your kerb appeal and putting green credentials once more.
Yes the lawn grubs first detected relatively recently compared to other notable pests in Queensland in January 2020 they are however found in South Australia the common army worm (Mythimna convecta) and prevalent in all states and territories.
Some simple tests are soapy water on the grass at early evening to bring the caterpillars to the surface. At up to 4cm in length they can be easily identified. Commonly with brown, grey or green stripes running along their body.
At dusk minimise lighting which attracts the adult moths to your garden areas. Keeping your lawn healthy with fertilizer and appropriate watering can negate army worms to some degree.
Checking with a torch at dusk low flying brown moths may be an indication just as the dark brown dire debris pellets that the lawn grubs excrete are visual cues to manoeuvre a quick response.
Given the life cycle of the lawn grub goes from egg mass through to pupae, then larvae and then finally moths some over the counter DIY store products may be the first response many clients reach for.
However with the variation of time period for gestation (stages of life cycles) the grass munching larvae stage itself varying between 14 to 30 days going through 6 stages of growth molting and shedding.
At leaf it to us we can employ pesticides that reach the pupae and provide longer residual activity.
The numerous generational production of these army worms with between 2 – 4 weeks for the larvae stage and a mature female moth with a capability to lay between 1000 to 15000 eggs in her lifetime week gestational time before the worms emerge to gorge on your grass may mean an ongoing support is required. The signs and symptoms of army worms enable you to be the commander of your lawn and give the future army worms their marching orders quicker and often on your own.