The Lawn Disappeared Overnight: Armyworms
Grass disappearing fast? It's likely an Armyworm invasion. Learn the soapy water test and how to stop the 'march' before your lawn is destroyed.
It sounds like an exaggeration. "I went to bed, and when I woke up, the grass was gone."
It's not a joke. It's Armyworms.
These are the caterpillars of a nondescript moth. They get their name because they move in a massive line, like an army, eating everything in their path.
The "March"
They don't just nibble. They eat the grass blade down to the dirt. A healthy green lawn can turn brown and dead in 48 hours.
The Soap Test
Not sure if it's drought or bugs?
Mix a bucket of water with lemon dish soap. Pour it over a 2x2 foot patch of healthy grass near the dead line. Wait 5 minutes.
If you have Armyworms, the soap irritates them, and they will come wriggling to the surface. If you see 5 or more, you need to treat immediately.
Speed is Key
You can't wait until the weekend. If you confirm Armyworms, apply a curative insecticide (like a pyrethroid liquid) that evening. Granules work too slow. You need a contact killer to stop the march before they eat the whole yard.