How to get rid of Sod Webworms from your lawn

Sod Webworm moths have a slender body, a wingspan of up to 25mm and the wings are grey with dark spots and wavy lines on both the forewings and hindwings. 

They’re most active at dusk and fly just above your lawn as they drop eggs in late spring or early summer.

Depending on the temperature, the oval-shaped eggs can hatch in 7-10 days and the larvae then burrow into the thatch and hide under particles or debris, emerging at night to feed.

Sod Webworms feed on a variety of grasses, chewing leaves and stems at the crown and thinning out small areas which can become large irregular brown patches. Sod Webworms don’t usually attack grass in heavily shaded areas.

Damage may initially look like fungal disease, but closer inspection will show ragged leaf margins where the Sod Webworm larvae have been chewing. 

There are two main methods of controlling Sod Webworms: manual and chemical.

Manual control of Sod Webworms

Where lawn has died after Sod Webworms nipped off the leaves and stems, use a soap drench (40ml liquid soap or dishwashing detergent per 3.8 litres of water) to draw the culprits to the surface. 

Collect the Sod Webworms larvae and crush or drown them in a bucket of soapy water.

Chemical control of Sod Webworms

Sod Webworms are most susceptible to pesticides when they’re newly hatched, which is usually in summer and early autumn. 

There are several products available that will kill Sod Webworm larvae on contact, and some that act as a preventative controlling others that hatch later in the season. 

Repeat treatments may be necessary.

Look for products containing the active ingredients beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin. esfenvelerate or chlorantraniliprole, which offers residual protection and can kill multiple generations.

Natural control of Sod Webworms

Biological control agents containing the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produce a toxin that paralyses the gut of the Sod Webworms larvae. They can be applied from early spring to late summer.

There are also products containing Predatory Nematodes available commercially which can be applied with a watering can, pump sprayer or knapsack. 

Predatory Nematodes are safe to use around humans and pets and won’t harm Bees or contaminate groundwater. 

They’re usually effective within 48 hours but are best applied late at night to avoid exposure to sunlight – which kills nematodes within minutes – and target Sod Webworms when they’re actively feeding.

Always read the safety directions and instructions on the product label before use.

Acelepryn GR

PCT Fivestar 1L

A healthy lawn is better equipped to quickly recover from mild pest infestations such as from Sod Webworms. Help your lawn recover by watering and feeding appropriately and avoid causing stress to your lawn by mowing it too short.

Sod Webworms are a pest of warm season turf grasses, including Couch, Kikuyu, Buffalo and Carpet Grass.

Regular monitoring can help prevent a major outbreak that will cause more damage to your lawn and be much harder to address.