Professional Sod Webworm Treatment for Houston, TX
Protect Your Lawn From Sod Webworms—All Season Long
Stop tropical sod webworms, Houston’s most costly lawn pest, before they destroy your grass. GreenGate’s one-time treatment in late spring provides season-long protection using advanced products and expert application methods. Even better—it also shields your lawn from army worms and grub worms.
one-time treatment, guaranteed all season long
At GreenGate, our licensed technicians know exactly what to look for when it comes to sod webworms. From the first signs of chewed grass blades to spotting moth activity at dusk, we’re trained to catch the early indicators most homeowners miss. That’s how we make sure your lawn gets the protection it needs before real damage sets in.
Our one-time treatment is not only effective—it’s also safe for kids and pets, giving you peace of mind while protecting your lawn.
With our Great Communication Guarantee, you’ll always know what’s happening with your service.
- An email 48 hours before your scheduled service
- An email & text 24 hours before your scheduled service
- A text while in route to your property
- A post-visit email after service is complete
We guarantee you’re never left wondering.
Signs of Sod Web worm Damage
Sod web worms can be tricky to spot because their damage often looks like other lawn problems. Catching them early is key to preventing serious harm. Here’s what to watch for:
Scalped or skeletonized grass: Young sod webworms feed on the soft parts of leaves, leaving vein-like patterns. As they grow, they drag blades into silk-lined tunnels and chew them down to the crown, creating noticeable bite marks and brown patches.
Tiny pellets: You may notice small, green droppings left behind by the larvae.
Evening moths: Adult moths often flutter around your lawn at dusk.
Rapid patch growth: Damage can spread and merge, especially in high heat or drought conditions.
Common confusions: Brown patches may be mistaken for discoloration, drought stress, or even pet urine.
GreenGate Turf & Pest’s licensed technicians know exactly what to look for and can treat these pests with the most effective products, protecting your lawn and restoring its health.
Sod Web worm Lifecycle
Sod web worms are the larvae of Crambus moths, known for causing damage to lawns. They don’t just appear overnight—they follow a seasonal cycle that affects when and how they damage your lawn. In Houston, they can go through several generations each year, with activity peaking in the hottest months. Knowing what they’re doing in each season helps explain why a single well-timed treatment in late spring provides season-long protection.
Sod Web worm Spring Activity:
Moths begin emerging as temperatures warm.
Egg-laying starts, leading to the first generation of caterpillars.
Damage is usually light and patchy but can increase quickly.
Best time for prevention: A single late-spring treatment stops populations before they peak.
Sod Web worm Summer Activity:
Sod webworm activity peaks.
Caterpillars feed heavily at night, especially in St. Augustine grass, causing thinning, brown patches, and chewed leaf blades.
Multiple generations overlap, making damage appear continuous.
Moths are often seen flying low at dusk.
Sod Web worm Fall Activity:
Activity remains high through early fall with cooler evenings still favoring caterpillar feeding.
Damage can look like drought stress, confusing homeowners.
Populations gradually decline by late fall as temperatures drop.
Sod Web worm Winter Activity:
Sod web worms go dormant in Houston’s cooler weather.
No active feeding or visible lawn damage.
This is the “resting phase” before activity restarts in spring.
Contact GreenGate Turf & Pest for Sod Webworm Prevention
GreenGate Turf & Pest looks forward to treating your lawn and eliminating pesky and destructive sod webworms. After our application, you get peace of mind knowing your grass is protected against these larvae, helping it stay healthy and beautiful year-round. We recommend annual sod webworm treatments to ensure you don’t need to deal with brown patches and other unsightly lawn issues. To take your lawn care even further, we highly recommend a lawn fertilization and weed control program to strengthen your lawn. Healthy grass is naturally more resistant to pest issues. Connect with us today to start your treatment routine and enjoy the outdoors without troublesome infestations.
GRUB/SOD WEBWORM TREATMENT FAQ
Sod webworms are the caterpillar stage of a small moth. In Houston, they especially target St. Augustine lawns, chewing grass blades at night and leaving behind brown patches and thinning turf.
Look for irregular brown patches, particularly in sunny spots. If you part the grass, you may find tiny greenish caterpillars or notice moths flying low across the lawn at dusk.
Yes! Our professional-grade products and expert application by our licensed technicians provide reliable, season-long protection from sod webworms and related pests.
Following a sod webworm treatment by GreenGate Turf & Pest’s technician, you may still notice adult moths in the area. These moths are harmless and not targeted by the application, which is designed specifically to eliminate the caterpillar stage of the pest. While new moths may appear as they mature, the treatment works to stop fresh larvae from hatching throughout the season.
Both are caterpillars, but they prefer different grasses. Armyworms are especially destructive in Bermuda lawns, often eating large areas in just a few days. Sod webworms are more common in St. Augustine grass and usually cause patchy damage. Unfortunately, both pests are very destructive and can sometimes destroy a lawn overnight.
Yes. Our sod webworm treatment also defends against armyworms—giving protection whether your lawn is Bermuda, St. Augustine, or Zoysia.
Armyworms cause sudden, widespread browning, often making Bermuda grass look like it’s been scalped overnight. You may also see caterpillars crawling over driveways and sidewalks.
Grub worms are beetle larvae that live in the soil and feed on grassroots. This weakens turf of all types—St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia—causing soft, spongy spots and even large dead patches.
Yes, our application also protects against grub worms, making it an all-in-one defense against Houston’s damaging turf pests.
Annual preventive treatments are the best way to stop grub populations from taking hold. A well-fed, watered, and maintained lawn is also more resilient against grub damage.