African Armyworm Alert: What It Means for Your Lawn

Recently, reports have emerged of African armyworm infestations affecting farms across South Africa, causing concern for farmers, landscapers, and homeowners alike. This pest outbreak has been detected in multiple provinces, leading to fears about potential damage to crops and turf. However, at Evergreen Turf, we want to assure our valued customers that our premium grass varieties remain armyworm-free and continue to thrive.

What Is the African Armyworm?

The African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) is a migratory pest that primarily targets crops, pastures, and certain grass species. These larvae, in their feeding stage, can cause severe defoliation in a short period, making them a serious threat to agricultural and turf landscapes. Favourable weather conditions, such as high humidity and recent rainfall, often contribute to outbreaks.

Why Evergreen Turf’s Grass Remains Safe

While the African armyworm has been detected in some areas, Evergreen Turf’s carefully cultivated grasses have not been affected. Here’s why:

• Regular Monitoring & Maintenance: Our farms implement rigorous pest management strategies, ensuring early detection and prevention of infestations.
• Resilient Grass Varieties: We supply high-quality, well-maintained grass cultivars that are robust and naturally resilient to common pests.
• Strategic Turf Care: Our turf management practices include optimal fertilization, irrigation, and biological control measures that keep pests at bay.

Insecticide Treatment Strategies (Credit: Grasses and Green)

Curative Treatments: Numerous organophosphate, carbamate, pyrethroid, and diacylhydrazine insecticides effectively control armyworms in turf. On golf course greens and tees, it is recommended that spraying a band of turf surrounding the affected area (a minimum of one boom or spreader width) will help keep larvae from moving back onto the greens from surrounding turf.

Preventive Treatments: Field tests with neonicotinoid insecticides (usually long residual systemic insecticides) have shown that some applied to golf course greens or tees provided suppression of armyworms for about 30 days. Other systemic insecticides may have effective residual effects of 14 to over 90 days.

How to Protect Your Lawn from Armyworms

While Evergreen Turf’s products remain unaffected, we encourage homeowners and businesses to stay proactive in their lawn care. Here are some preventive tips:

• Monitor for Signs of Infestation: Keep an eye out for rapid yellowing, bare patches, or visible caterpillars feeding on your grass.
• Water and Fertilize Correctly: A healthy lawn is more resistant to pests, so ensure your turf receives adequate nutrients and hydration.
• Introduce Beneficial Insects: Natural predators, such as birds and parasitic wasps, help control armyworm populations.
• Use Safe Pest Control Methods: If an infestation occurs in surrounding areas, consider eco-friendly biological insecticides to protect your lawn.

Trust Evergreen Turf for Premium, Healthy Grass

Our commitment to quality ensures that our customers receive only the best turf solutions, free from pest infestations. We continue to monitor the situation closely and remain dedicated to providing healthy, lush, and vibrant lawns for homes, businesses, and sports fields.

For expert advice on lawn care or to purchase our top-tier grass varieties, contact Evergreen Turf today. Let’s keep South Africa’s landscapes green and thriving!