{"id":60907,"date":"2026-06-30T17:23:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T20:23:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=60907"},"modified":"2026-07-01T12:43:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T15:43:36","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Armyworms are destructive caterpillars that can devastate your garden or lawn in a matter of days. If you&#8217;ve spotted holes in your tomatoes, chewed-up leaves, or brown patches in your grass, you need to act fast. <\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Treat during their larval stage: Hand-pick small infestations of armyworms into soapy water, spray neem oil or <em>Bacillus thuringiensis<\/em> (Bt) for moderate ones, and save insecticides for severe cases. This guide covers how to get rid of armyworms, recognize the damage they cause, and prevent them from coming back.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Timing your treatment and choosing the right method can be tricky. If armyworm damage has spread to your lawn, LawnStarter&#8217;s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=fertilization\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lawn treatment service<\/a> can help you reclaim your yard.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Key Takeaways<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u2022 Armyworms are caterpillars that feed in large groups and can strip a garden or lawn bare within days, so early detection is essential.<br>\u2022 Natural treatments like neem oil and <em>Bacillus thuringiensis<\/em> (Bt) are effective for light infestations, while chemical insecticides are most effective for severe outbreaks.<br>\u2022 Treating in the late afternoon targets armyworms when they are most active, improving the effectiveness of any treatment method.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-264a483e-021c-4de8-ad28-3974746892bd\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#0-what-are-armyworms\" style=\"\">What Are Armyworms?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#2-how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms\" style=\"\">How to Get Rid of Armyworms<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#10-signs-of-armyworm-damage-and-how-to-test\" style=\"\">Signs of Armyworm Damage and How to Test<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#11-is-that-an-armyworm-how-to-tell-it-apart-from-other-caterpillars\" style=\"\">Is That an Armyworm? How to Tell It Apart from Other Caterpillars<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#12-how-to-prevent-armyworms\" style=\"\">How to Prevent Armyworms<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#19-faqs\" style=\"\">FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 id=\"0-what-are-armyworms\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are Armyworms?<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Armyworm.jpg\" alt=\"Fall armyworm caterpillar (Spodoptera frugiperda)\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fall armyworm caterpillar. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Armyworm.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">\u0936\u0940\u0924\u0932 \u0938\u093f\u0928\u094d\u0939\u093e<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Armyworms are caterpillars (the larval stage of several moth species) that feed in large groups and can destroy a lawn or garden in days. They&#8217;re usually green or brown, about 1.5 inches long, with 3 white stripes down their backs and an inverted &#8220;Y&#8221; marking on their heads.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Common plants armyworms attack:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p>Beet<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Cabbage<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Corn<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Tomato<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Sweet potato<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 id=\"1-life-cycle-of-an-armyworm\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Life Cycle of an Armyworm<\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Stage<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Duration<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What Happens<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Egg<\/td><td>2-3 days<\/td><td>Laid in clusters on leaves<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Larva (caterpillar)<\/td><td>14-30 days<\/td><td>Active feeding causes all damage<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pupa<\/td><td>8-30 days<\/td><td>Underground, no feeding<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Adult moth<\/td><td>7-21 days<\/td><td>Lays eggs, cycle repeats<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ask.ifas.ufl.edu\/publication\/IN255\">University of Florida<\/a><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The larval stage is your only window to treat them. <\/strong>Pupae and adult moths are not affected by most treatments.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>It&#8217;s also when they do the most damage.<\/strong> Caterpillars consume approximately 80%-90% of their total food intake in the final 2-3 days of this stage, according to Oklahoma State University.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"2-how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get Rid of Armyworms<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The right treatment depends on how bad the infestation is. Follow an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/integrated-pest-management-garden\/\">integrated pest management<\/a> approach and start with the least invasive options first.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For small outbreaks caught early, hand-picking or neem oil is usually enough. For large or spreading infestations, chemical insecticides are the fastest solution, but should be a last resort.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Treatment Method<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Best For<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hand-picking into soapy water<\/td><td>Small infestations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Neem oil<\/td><td>Early-stage infestations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Beneficial insects<\/td><td>Prevention and control; eggs and young larvae in spring or fall, when armyworms are in<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Beneficial nematodes<\/td><td>Soil-dwelling larvae<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bt (<em>Bacillus thuringiensis<\/em>)<\/td><td>Active feeding larvae<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Spinosad<\/td><td>Organic gardens<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Chemical insecticides<\/td><td>Severe infestations<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip: <\/strong>Treating in the late afternoon targets armyworms when they are most active, improving the effectiveness of any treatment method.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"3-hand-pick-armyworms-into-soapy-water\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hand-Pick Armyworms Into Soapy Water<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For small infestations, hand-picking into soapy water is the simplest approach, requiring no chemicals. Here&#8217;s how:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Step 1: <\/strong>Find the armyworms<strong>.<\/strong> Look for spots where leaves have been chewed and check underneath them. Search for cottony egg masses on the undersides of leaves.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 2: <\/strong>Pick up the&nbsp;armyworms.&nbsp;Use your hands for caterpillars and a damp paper towel for eggs. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Drop them into a&nbsp;bucket of soapy water. Use a teaspoonful of soap per gallon of water.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 id=\"4-apply-neem-oil\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apply Neem Oil<\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Neem-Oil.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"neem leaves with empty bottle\" class=\"wp-image-89692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Neem-Oil.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Neem-Oil-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Neem-Oil-646x430.jpg 646w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Neem-Oil-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Neem-Oil-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Neem Oil. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/essential-oil-neem-herbal-packaging-7051750\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neem oil is a natural insecticide effective against armyworms, achieving <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2949798125000432\">70% to 77% larval mortality<\/a> within 72 hours in controlled studies. It contains azadirachtin, which disrupts insect hormones and prevents armyworms from completing their larval cycle.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can safely use neem oil on vegetables, fruit trees, flowers, and shrubs. It generally won&#8217;t harm beneficial insects like honey bees or ladybugs&nbsp;when applied during late evening or early morning.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to apply neem oil:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong>&nbsp;Mix 2 tablespoons of neem oil with a gallon of water in your garden sprayer and shake well.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 2: <\/strong>Spray your garden, making sure you reach the undersides of the leaves.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 3:&nbsp;<\/strong>Repeat every few weeks until there are no armyworms left.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/natural-lawn-pesticides-that-work-hint-theyre-not-homemade-recipes\/\">Natural Pest Control for Your Lawn That Works<\/a> <\/p>    <h3 id=\"5-attract-beneficial-insects\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Attract Beneficial Insects<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several beneficial insects act as natural allies against armyworms:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Ladybugs:<\/strong> They eat small armyworms. Attract them with chives, cilantro, dill, or fennel, or live ladybugs.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Lacewings:<\/strong> These tiny green insects target armyworm eggs. and young larvae. Attract them with cosmos, goldenrod, or marguerite daisies.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Minute pirate bugs:<\/strong> They feed on aphids, mites, and armyworm eggs.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Parasitic wasps: <\/strong><em>Trichogramma<\/em> wasps lay eggs inside armyworm eggs, killing them from within. They won&#8217;t sting humans.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/beneficial-insects-lawn-garden\/\">Beneficial Insects for Your Lawn and Garden, Plus Where to Buy<\/a><\/p>    <h3 id=\"6-release-beneficial-nematodes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Release Beneficial Nematodes<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beneficial nematodes are microscopic organisms that move through soil and attack armyworm larvae underground. They won&#8217;t harm plants, pets, or people.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to apply:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Buy&nbsp;beneficial nematodes at your local garden store. Apply in spring or fall, when armyworms are in their larval stage.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 2: <\/strong>Dissolve in water&nbsp;and use a sprayer to apply to your plants. Keep the soil moist so they can continue hunting the remaining armyworms.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/beneficial-nematodes\/\">Beneficial Nematodes: Where to Buy Them and How to Use Them<\/a><\/p>    <h3 id=\"7-apply-bacillus-thuringiensis-bt-\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apply <em>Bacillus Thuringiensis<\/em> (<em>Bt<\/em>)<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bt is a naturally occurring bacterium that creates a toxin lethal to caterpillars when ingested. It is <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/npic.orst.edu\/factsheets\/BTgen.pdf\">not harmful<\/a> to humans or other animals.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to apply Bt:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Mix with water and put in a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Follow label instructions for correct amounts.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Apply in the early morning or evening&nbsp;since Bt degrades quickly in sunlight. Cover both tops and undersides of&nbsp;leaves.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 3:&nbsp;<\/strong>Wait 48 hours to see effects. Reapply weekly if needed.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common Bt products you can use include Dipel and Monterey Bt.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"8-apply-spinosad\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apply Spinosad<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spinosad is an&nbsp;organic insecticide made from bacterial fermentation. It&#8217;s safe for humans, birds, and moderately toxic to earthworms.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), spinosad <strong>doesn&#8217;t harm bees once it has dried,<\/strong> but it&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/npic.orst.edu\/factsheets\/spinosadgen.html#wildlife\" target=\"_blank\">highly toxic to bees<\/a> when wet. Spray early in the morning or at dusk, when the bees are not active.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That&#8217;s also when you&#8217;ll get the best results, since sunlight degrades it and shortens its duration of action. <\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few of the most popular and easy-to-find spinosad products are Conserve, Ferti-Lome Spinosad Concentrate, and Monterey Garden Insect Spray.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"9-use-chemical-insecticides\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use Chemical Insecticides<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chemical insecticides such as carbaryl (sold as Sevin) kill armyworms quickly by overstimulating their nervous systems on contact or ingestion. <\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use carbaryl only as a last resort because, according to NPIC, it can be <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/npic.orst.edu\/factsheets\/carbarylgen.html#symptoms\">slightly to moderately toxic<\/a> to humans and other mammals and can&nbsp;kill beneficial insects. Follow all label instructions carefully.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"10-signs-of-armyworm-damage-and-how-to-test\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Signs of Armyworm Damage and How to Test<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/51312677262_9ee7169ee1_k-1.jpg\" alt=\"Armyworm caterpillar on a leaf\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Armyworm caterpillar on a leaf. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/uacescomm\/51312677262\/\" target=\"_blank\">uacescomm<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC0 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most obvious sign of armyworm damage is rapid, widespread destruction of foliage. Armyworms can consume an entire lawn in 2 to 3 days under peak feeding conditions, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/aggieturf.tamu.edu\/turfgrass-insects\/armyworm\/\" target=\"_blank\">Extension experts<\/a> at Texas A&amp;M University.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If brown patches appear overnight, investigate immediately.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Signs of armyworm damage:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p>Grass blades that are <strong>ragged or chewed up at the tips<\/strong><\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Lettuce or cabbage leaves that are <strong>&#8220;skeletonized&#8221; with a transparent windowpane<\/strong><\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Oddly shaped holes<\/strong> in your tomatoes<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Round holes<\/strong> in your flowers&#8217; leaves<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Clusters of eggs<\/strong> on your plant&#8217;s leaves<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Brown patches<\/strong> of grass with some areas of bare soil<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>More birds and rodents<\/strong> than usual in your garden<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Confirm an armyworm infestation with this simple soap flush test:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap with 1 to 2 gallons of water.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Pour the mixture over a 1-square-yard area.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Wait up to 10 minutes. The soap forces armyworms to surface.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 4:<\/strong> If armyworms appear, treat immediately using the methods in this article.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 5:<\/strong> If none appear, test a different area at a different time of day.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/signs-of-armyworm-damage\/\">Signs of Armyworm Damage<\/a><\/p>    <h2 id=\"11-is-that-an-armyworm-how-to-tell-it-apart-from-other-caterpillars\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is That an Armyworm? How to Tell It Apart from Other Caterpillars<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you treat, make sure you&#8217;re dealing with an armyworm and not a look-alike. Some caterpillars are harmless or even beneficial. Misidentifying them could lead you to treat the wrong pest.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Pest<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Key Identifier<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Main Damage<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Armyworm<\/td><td>Three white stripes, inverted &#8220;Y&#8221; on head<\/td><td>Leaves, stems, grass blades<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cutworm<\/td><td>No inverted &#8220;Y&#8221; head marking, curls into a C when disturbed<\/td><td>Plant stems at the soil level<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sod webworm<\/td><td>Smaller, no stripes or Y shape<\/td><td>Grass tips and blades<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Monarch butterfly caterpillar<\/td><td>Black, yellow, and white horizontal stripes<\/td><td>Milkweed only<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related:<\/strong><br>&#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-get-rid-of-cutworms\/\">How to Get Rid of Cutworms<\/a><br>&#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-sod-webworms\/\">How to Get Rid of Sod Webworms<\/a><br>&#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/environment\/monarch-butterfly-infographic\/\">19 Amazing Facts About the Monarch Butterfly<\/a><\/p>    <h2 id=\"12-how-to-prevent-armyworms\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Prevent Armyworms<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/28051594681_10f79b96b7_o-1.jpg\" alt=\"Armyworm caterpillar on plant foliage\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Armyworm caterpillar on plant foliage. Photo Credit: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ksrecomm\/28051594681\/\">K-State Research and Extension<\/a> \/ Flickr \/&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you&#8217;ve gotten rid of armyworms, make sure they don&#8217;t come back:<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Prevention Method<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>How It Works<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>When to Do It<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Keep the garden clean<\/td><td>Removes hiding spots<\/td><td>Weekly<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Set pheromone traps<\/td><td>Monitors moth activity<\/td><td>Spring through fall<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Install bird feeders<\/td><td>Attracts natural predators<\/td><td>Year-round<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Use row covers<\/td><td>Physical barrier<\/td><td>Install at planting<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Plant beneficial flowers<\/td><td>Attracts helpful insects<\/td><td>Spring planting<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h3 id=\"13-keep-your-garden-clean\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep Your Garden Clean<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep your garden free of plant debris. This is where armyworms hide between feedings. Clearing debris regularly reduces their chances of establishing an&nbsp;infestation.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"14-set-pheromone-traps\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Set Pheromone Traps<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pheromone traps detect adult moths, which precede the larval damage.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"15-get-bird-feeders\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get Bird Feeders<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Birds are natural predators of armyworms. Bird feeders and bird baths attract birds that will eat armyworms before they can do much damage.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"16-install-floating-row-covers\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Install Floating Row Covers<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Put row covers on at planting, before the moths start flying, and keep crops covered through late summer and early fall, when fall armyworms are most active.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A couple of precautions: Remove the covers from squash, cucumbers, and other insect-pollinated crops during bloom so bees can reach the flowers. Also, avoid sealing a cover over soil that may already harbor larvae, which would trap the pest inside your plants.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"17-plant-flowers-and-herbs-that-attract-beneficial-insects\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plant&nbsp;Flowers and Herbs That Attract Beneficial Insects<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Growing a pollinator garden with nectar- and pollen-producing plants attracts beneficial insects that provide natural pest control.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Recommended plants:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p>Dill<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Coriander<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Fennel<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Marigolds<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Daisies<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/how-to-build-pollinator-garden\/\">How to Build a Pollinator Garden<\/a><\/p>    <h2 id=\"18-get-professional-help-for-your-lawn-and-garden\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get Professional Help for Your Lawn and Garden<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Armyworms hit gardens and lawns alike. They chew through tomatoes and vegetable leaves, skeletonize foliage, and leave brown patches in grass, sometimes within just a few days of hatching.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ignore them, and the damage adds up fast. Caterpillars strip plants faster than they recover, and survivors lay the next generation, restarting the cycle across your beds and turf.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That&#8217;s where the pros come in. LawnStarter&#8217;s <a class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=fertilization\">lawn treatment service<\/a> can clear the infestation and keep your yard safe with professional care and follow-up visits.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"19-faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-17827231719779610\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Will Vinegar Kill Armyworms?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0965174819304278\">smell of vinegar<\/a> can actually attract adult armyworm moths, leading to more eggs. Additionally, vinegar can burn your garden plants if you apply too much.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-17827231719774433\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Does Dish Soap Kill Armyworms?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, on direct contact. <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7823957\/\">A study<\/a> in Benin, West Africa, found that soapy water solutions killed armyworm larvae on contact, though the soaps tested weren&#8217;t standard dish soap. In practice, dish soap is most useful for the soap flush test, and for killing worms you&#8217;ve hand-picked into a bucket of soapy water.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image: Fall armyworm caterpillar on a leaf in a lawn. Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/pixahive.com\/photo\/agriculture-crops-damager-worm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixahive<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Armyworms have the potential to destroy a vegetable garden in days. Learn how to get rid of armyworms in the garden before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":60982,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[669],"tags":[629],"class_list":["post-60907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pest-control","tag-pest-control"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Maria Isabela Reis","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/maria-isabela-reis\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Armyworms have the potential to destroy a vegetable garden in days. Learn how to get rid of armyworms in the garden before it\u2019s too late.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Armyworms have the potential to destroy a vegetable garden in days. Learn how to get rid of armyworms in the garden before it\u2019s too late.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Lawnstarter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-30T20:23:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-01T15:43:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"944\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Maria Isabela Reis\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Maria Isabela Reis\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Maria Isabela Reis\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5ab6e176c9d8d5bd5b2f272b7ed1d232\"},\"headline\":\"How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-30T20:23:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-01T15:43:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1934,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr\",\"keywords\":[\"pest control\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Pest control\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-30T20:23:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-01T15:43:36+00:00\",\"description\":\"Armyworms have the potential to destroy a vegetable garden in days. Learn how to get rid of armyworms in the garden before it\u2019s too late.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#faq-question-17827231719779610\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#faq-question-17827231719774433\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":944,\"caption\":\"Fall armyworm caterpillar feeding on young maize leaves, with visible frass and damage around the corn plant whorl.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Lawnstarter\",\"description\":\"The LawnStarter Blog\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Lawnstarter\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/10\\\/lawnstarter-logo.svg?wsr\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/10\\\/lawnstarter-logo.svg?wsr\",\"width\":198,\"height\":26,\"caption\":\"Lawnstarter\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5ab6e176c9d8d5bd5b2f272b7ed1d232\",\"name\":\"Maria Isabela Reis\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/Maria-Isabela-Reis-150x150.jpg?wsr\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/Maria-Isabela-Reis-150x150.jpg?wsr\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/Maria-Isabela-Reis-150x150.jpg?wsr\",\"caption\":\"Maria Isabela Reis\"},\"description\":\"Maria Isabela Reis is a writer with a Ph.D. in social psychology who\u2019s been writing about lawn care and landscaping for over three years. She enjoys breaking down how outdoor spaces work and spends her downtime with her dogs, her plants, and a good cup of coffee.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/maria-isabela-reis\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#faq-question-17827231719779610\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#faq-question-17827231719779610\",\"name\":\"Will Vinegar Kill Armyworms?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. The <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sciencedirect.com\\\/science\\\/article\\\/abs\\\/pii\\\/S0965174819304278\\\">smell of vinegar<\\\/a> can actually attract adult armyworm moths, leading to more eggs. Additionally, vinegar can burn your garden plants if you apply too much.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#faq-question-17827231719774433\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/pest-control\\\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\\\/#faq-question-17827231719774433\",\"name\":\"Does Dish Soap Kill Armyworms?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, on direct contact. <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" class=\\\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\\\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\\\" href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\\/articles\\\/PMC7823957\\\/\\\">A study<\\\/a> in Benin, West Africa, found that soapy water solutions killed armyworm larvae on contact, though the soaps tested weren't standard dish soap. In practice, dish soap is most useful for the soap flush test, and for killing worms you've hand-picked into a bucket of soapy water.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden","description":"Armyworms have the potential to destroy a vegetable garden in days. Learn how to get rid of armyworms in the garden before it\u2019s too late.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden","og_description":"Armyworms have the potential to destroy a vegetable garden in days. Learn how to get rid of armyworms in the garden before it\u2019s too late.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/","og_site_name":"Lawnstarter","article_published_time":"2026-06-30T20:23:41+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-07-01T15:43:36+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":944,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Maria Isabela Reis","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Maria Isabela Reis","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/"},"author":{"name":"Maria Isabela Reis","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/5ab6e176c9d8d5bd5b2f272b7ed1d232"},"headline":"How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden","datePublished":"2026-06-30T20:23:41+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-01T15:43:36+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/"},"wordCount":1934,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr","keywords":["pest control"],"articleSection":["Pest control"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/","name":"How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr","datePublished":"2026-06-30T20:23:41+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-01T15:43:36+00:00","description":"Armyworms have the potential to destroy a vegetable garden in days. Learn how to get rid of armyworms in the garden before it\u2019s too late.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#faq-question-17827231719779610"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#faq-question-17827231719774433"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Agriculture-crops-damager-worm-289144-pixahive-768x1024-2-1-1.jpg?wsr","width":1200,"height":944,"caption":"Fall armyworm caterpillar feeding on young maize leaves, with visible frass and damage around the corn plant whorl."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Get Rid of Armyworms in the Garden"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/","name":"Lawnstarter","description":"The LawnStarter Blog","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Lawnstarter","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lawnstarter-logo.svg?wsr","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lawnstarter-logo.svg?wsr","width":198,"height":26,"caption":"Lawnstarter"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/5ab6e176c9d8d5bd5b2f272b7ed1d232","name":"Maria Isabela Reis","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Maria-Isabela-Reis-150x150.jpg?wsr","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Maria-Isabela-Reis-150x150.jpg?wsr","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Maria-Isabela-Reis-150x150.jpg?wsr","caption":"Maria Isabela Reis"},"description":"Maria Isabela Reis is a writer with a Ph.D. in social psychology who\u2019s been writing about lawn care and landscaping for over three years. She enjoys breaking down how outdoor spaces work and spends her downtime with her dogs, her plants, and a good cup of coffee.","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/maria-isabela-reis\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#faq-question-17827231719779610","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#faq-question-17827231719779610","name":"Will Vinegar Kill Armyworms?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0965174819304278\">smell of vinegar<\/a> can actually attract adult armyworm moths, leading to more eggs. Additionally, vinegar can burn your garden plants if you apply too much.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#faq-question-17827231719774433","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms-garden\/#faq-question-17827231719774433","name":"Does Dish Soap Kill Armyworms?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, on direct contact. <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7823957\/\">A study<\/a> in Benin, West Africa, found that soapy water solutions killed armyworm larvae on contact, though the soaps tested weren't standard dish soap. In practice, dish soap is most useful for the soap flush test, and for killing worms you've hand-picked into a bucket of soapy water.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60907","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60907"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60907\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":151700,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60907\/revisions\/151700"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60907"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}