Army Worms brought by Tropical Storm Debby decimate lawns

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — An army of insects is invading parts of the region, and their target could be your lawn. 

Army Worms can be seen regularly in the Cape Fear, but their numbers this year were made much worse by Tropical Storm Debby. 

Army Worms are not actually worms, but caterpillars. As adult moths, many of them likely came to our area along with the tropical storm. The insect lays eggs on plants, or the side of homes and can devastate an entire lawn overnight.  

Jason Herring with Edge Landscaping in Wilmington said many of the neighborhoods they serve have seen a sharp increase. 

“So, you’re not going to see them in Centipede and St. Augustine, but you’ll see them in Bermuda Grass and Zoysia Grass. Those are your two main players we’re seeing right now, but I would say if you’re in a big neighborhood, you’ll see 50% of them right now are probably ate up with Army Worms,” he said. 

It’s not just lawns that are at risk, either. The Pender County Cooperative Extension said more than 200 acres of soybeans were damaged or destroyed by the pest.  

They recommend cutting your lawn regularly to prevent the eggs from hatching.