CHARLOTTE, NC — The rains from Hurricane Debby passed weeks ago, but a worm infestation caused by the same storm is still alive and well. They’re called armyworms. Although they look a lot like caterpillars, professional equestrian Logan Harris says they’re much worse.

“I saw them grazing in my pastures about two days ago,” Harris said. She continued, “I’d say they’ve grazed about 60 percent of it.”

Harris’ competition horses and her clients’ horses graze on these pastures. Without the grass, she has to spend more money to feed her animals.

Sean Kyne of Charlotte’s Fine Turf says the lawn care company has received hundreds of calls to stop the armyworm. Kyne says the commander behind this mass attack is none other than moths. Hurricane weather lures the insects to lay their eggs high up. Between 50 and hundreds of armyworms then hatch and migrate into your lawn, eating everything but the weeds.

“(They) can pretty much destroy a lawn in two to 10 days,” Kyne said. “They are devastating. Lawns are usually beyond repair,” he continued.

Kyne says the worms move mainly at night, leaving dry brown straw where grass used to be as evidence of their attack. Pest control professionals can easily kill the worms with chemicals, but if they aren’t caught early, you’ll still have to replant every patch of dead grass.

“It’s time to replant and re-seed and, you know, treat the pastures,” Harris said. “I want the hurricanes to not bring us any more inconveniences on the property,” she adds.

According to experts, armyworms will continue to eat the lawn until the first frost arrives in our area. The worms will be most active in the next few weeks. Pest control recommends seeking help immediately if you notice brown patches forming around the edges of your lawn.