By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Large groups of worms called “armyworms” are overtaking yards in central Illinois, leaving grass and plants dead in their path.

Usually, the armyworms are a tropical pest, but this year, they have migrated to Illinois.

According to Kelly Allsup, a Horticulture Educator for the University of Illinois Extension office, the worms look like caterpillars but travel in packs.

“We’re noticing them here in Central Illinois, and they’re devouring people’s back yards overnight. Again, they move like an army, and they are these little caterpillars that are in your grass. And what they are doing is they are eating the blades of that grass off. All of a sudden, you will go out there, and all of your grass is dead, or you will see large massive dead spots.”

Allsup says the pests are migrating north to Illinois due to the bountiful growing season in the south.

“I think we’re going to start seeing more pests move further north that haven’t traditionally moved this far north. I think we might have to deal with it again next year. Now, it’s not like they are going to overwinter in your soil or anything. So if you didn’t treat them and kill them, that doesn’t mean you are going to have them next year.”

One way to stop the pests is to mix a gallon of water with a couple of tablespoons of soap and pour it on the dead spot of grass.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].