Armyworms Approaching UC; Impact Crops

Upper Cumberland Agricultural Experts are concerned after reports of Armyworms being spotted in southern Tennessee.

Armyworms are a larvae pest that comes from moths. White County Ag Extension Agent Scott Swoape said Armyworms are very harmful as they feed on crops and grass.

“You can go out there and say ‘oh gosh it looks like I’m gonna have a good hay crop,'” Swoape said. “And then you know a week later because I experienced that, a week later you go out and you are like there’s nothing left but a stem because they are going to feed on all that foliage and make their way across the field.”

Swoape said while some of the worms can be found every year, the reports are concerning of a bigger problem. Swoape said the worms travel north this time of year from southern states.

“We are starting to see those now pretty heavy populations in southern parts of the state,” Swoape said. “My expectations are they will be making their way to our area fairly quickly.”

Swoape said the earlier the worms are detected the better. Swoape said people can use dish soap to see if they have any in their lawns.

“You can actually do a soap-water solution,” Swoape said. “So you mix up one to two tablespoons of dishwashing soap and a gallon of water. Pour that over an area of like a two-foot by two-foot kind of area. If there is any they are going to be forced up to the top of the grass to try and get away from that dish soap.”

Swoape said multiple insecticides can be used to remove Armyworms. Swoape said currently they have not received any reports of Armyworms in White County.