Army Worms Invading Edmond Yards

Green lawns are being turned brown in Edmond and it has nothing to do with a lack of water or fertilizer. 

“They are killing off our grass,” said Jeff Thionett, who lives near Coltrane and 33rd St. in Edmond.

Thionett said he started noticing the brown spots in the lawn recently.

“I've got a sprinkler system. I've been watering, doing all the things I should be doing,” said Thionett.

The culprit turned out to be Army Worms. They look exactly like caterpillars. The insects can turn lawns green to brown in a matter of days by eating the healthy blades of grass.

“The last time we saw them in Oklahoma was probably 12 to 13 years ago,” said Brian Hurd with Fenix Lawn and Tree.

Hurd says a cooler and wetter summer have provided ideal conditions for the Army Worms. They can feed on any type of grass, but can be killed with an insecticide.

Hurd says Army Worms are also a problem in the Tulsa area right now.