ATLANTA,None — Armyworms have invaded Georgia and they've become to Bermuda grass lawns what Sherman's army was to Georgia agriculture; within days they've stripped lawns bare across metro Atlanta.
The infestations are popping up across the area, making thousands of tiny worms, which are actually caterpillars, suddenly appear in a yard, voraciously gorging themselves on the green stems of your lawn.
Channel 2's Jeff Dore found out from experts that the worms can be seen during the day, but often are out of sight because they burrow into the thatch near the ground, then come up to eat at night.
Agents with the University of Georgia Agricultural Extension Service said they have been getting lots of calls in the last week or two. One Master Gardner told Dore said she didn't remember getting a single call last year.
Agricultural experts told Dore that know the worms are there, so if you see an unusual number of birds pecking at your grass you could soon see brown spots, then the army worms.
Stan Parton of Lilburn told Dore he noticed frogs all over his lawn at night, feasting on the worms. LINK: Walter Reeves' Advice On Army Worms
Cody Rice at Greg's Nursery in Stone Mountain said the recommended treatment is available at any garden store, a product known as Sevin (Carbaryl).
Rice suggested using the liquid version, spraying it in with your hose sprayer, and really giving the grass a good soaking.
The grass will look dead where worms appeared, but they don't eat roots, so a well-established and otherwise healthy lawn should survive.