Beware of Sod Webworms in South Louisiana Lawns This Late Summer
As summer winds down in South Louisiana, many homeowners start noticing brown patches appearing in their lawns. If you’ve been watering and mowing regularly but your grass still looks like it’s struggling, the culprit might not be heat stress or lack of rain—it could be sod webworms.
These pests thrive in late summer through early fall, and if left unchecked, they can quickly cause severe damage to your turf.
What Are Sod Webworms?
Sod webworms are the larvae of a small moth that lays eggs in your lawn during the warm season. Once hatched, the larvae chew through grass blades, leaving irregular brown patches behind.
You may notice:
Small moths flying low across your lawn in the evenings
Grass that looks ragged or scalped in patches
Thin, brown areas spreading across otherwise healthy turf
Why They’re a Problem in South Louisiana
Our warm, humid climate creates perfect conditions for sod webworms to thrive. Since lawns in Covington, Mandeville, and across the Northshore often feature warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia, they are especially vulnerable.
Left untreated, sod webworms can:
Rapidly spread damage throughout your lawn
Weaken turf before cooler months
Make your lawn more susceptible to weeds and disease
Signs You Have Sod Webworms
Keep an eye out for these warning signs this time of year:
Brown patches that spread quickly despite watering
Chewed, ragged grass blades that look like they’ve been cut unevenly
Increased moth activity at dusk
Thin or bare spots that appear seemingly overnight
How to Manage Sod Webworms
1. Inspect Your Lawn
Check for webworm larvae by parting the grass and looking for small, greenish-brown caterpillars.
2. Act Quickly with Treatment
A professional lawn care provider can apply targeted insecticides that knock down sod webworms fast while protecting your turf.
3. Encourage Lawn Recovery
Proper watering, mowing, and fertilization after treatment help your lawn bounce back stronger.
Cultivate’s Late Summer Lawn Care
At Cultivate, we know how frustrating lawn pests can be. Our lawn maintenance programs are designed to not only stop sod webworms in their tracks but also strengthen your grass year-round so it’s less vulnerable to future outbreaks.
**If you’ve noticed brown patches or increased moth activity in your yard, now’s the time to act before the damage spreads.
Schedule a free quote today for late summer care.
