How to Control Army Bugs in Your Garden?

Hey fellow gardeners!

I’ve been overrun by ​army bugs​​ (armyworms) in my vegetable patch! These pests are devouring my corn, tomatoes, and lettuce overnight. I tried handpicking them and spraying soapy water, but they’re multiplying faster than I can keep up. I need ​​effective, eco-friendly solutions​​ before my garden becomes a wasteland!

Army bugs are larvae of moths that move in large groups, stripping plants bare. They thrive in warm, humid climates and seem immune to my DIY fixes. I’d prefer ​​organic methods​​ to protect pollinators and soil health.

​BT (Bacillus thuringiensis)​​ is my go-to! It’s a bacteria that kills armyworms but spares beneficial bugs. Spray leaves every 5 days until they’re gone.

@EcoWarrior Thanks! Is BT safe for edible plants? I grow organic veggies.

Yes! It’s OMRI-certified for organic use. Just rinse veggies before eating.

Attract ​​birds​​! Install a bird feeder or birdbath near your garden. Sparrows and robins feast on army bugs.

​​Diatomaceous earth​ sprinkled around plants dehydrates them. Reapply after rain. Safe for pets once it settles!

Plant ​marigolds and garlic​​! Army bugs hate the smell. I interplant them with my crops, works like a charm!

Handpick them at dusk​ with a flashlight! Drop them into soapy water. Gross but effective for small infestations.

Neem oil + dish soap​ spray! Mix 2 tsp neem, 1 tsp soap in a quart of water. Spray leaves top and bottom.

Release ​​parasitic wasps​​ (Trichogramma). They lay eggs inside army bug eggs—nature’s pest control! Order online.

​Till your soil​ in fall! Disrupts pupae overwintering. Also, rotate crops yearly to break their lifecycle.

Garlic spray​: Blend 10 cloves with water, strain, and spray. Army bugs flee the stench! Reapply weekly.

Use ​pheromone traps​ to catch adult moths. Fewer moths = fewer eggs. Place traps 10 feet from the garden.