Your lawn looked fine yesterday — today it's yellow, ragged, and chewed down to the stolons in irregular patches. That's caterpillars: sod webworms, tropical sod webworms, or fall armyworms. They feed at night and can strip sections overnight.
We identify the species, treat fast, and stop active feeding within 24 hours.
30 seconds. No obligation. Most quotes same-day.
By completing this form, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and consent to receive automated service notifications and promotional offers via SMS. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text HELP for help, STOP to unsubscribe.
Caterpillars are the fastest lawn pest to cause visible damage. Unlike chinch bugs (slow, gradual) or grubs (underground, damage builds over weeks), caterpillar damage is above-ground and immediate. A heavy fall armyworm outbreak can strip noticeable sections of a Sarasota lawn in 48 hours.
Sarasota Lawn Care identifies the species, treats fast, and stops active feeding within 24 hours. Call (941) 297-2606 now.
Sod webworm. Small larvae (under 3/4 inch), greenish-gray with dark spots. Hide in silken tubes in thatch during day, feed at night. Adult moths small, tan, fly zigzag at dusk. Damage pattern: patchy, irregular, ragged blade tips.
Tropical sod webworm. Subtropical cousin, common in Sarasota. Similar biology but slightly more destructive and stays active later into fall.
Fall armyworm. Larger (up to 1.5 inches), green to dark green with stripes and an inverted-Y on the head. Travels in groups. Causes dramatic overnight damage. The species behind most of the severe October damage we treat in Sarasota.
All three peak in August–November. Fall armyworm is September–October dominant. Sarasota’s mild winters occasionally stretch activity into late November, which doesn’t happen in colder parts of the state.
Treating at the first ragged patches keeps the outbreak localized. Waiting means a larger infestation and more visible damage.
Siesta Key, Lido, and Longboat lawns — already stressed by salt exposure — are slower to recover from caterpillar damage than mainland lawns. For Island properties, preventive program coverage (our 7-step) is the strong recommendation because the tolerance for lost blade tissue is lower on salt-stressed turf.
Confirm species first (chinch bug and fungus damage can look similar at first glance). Once confirmed, broadcast application targets the thatch layer where caterpillars hide during daytime. Modern caterpillar-specific chemistry — spinosad, Bt, or bifenthrin — breaks the population within 24 hours.
Follow-up at 5–7 days catches secondary egg-laying cohorts.
Sarasota caterpillar treatment starts in the low-to-mid hundreds for a typical single-family lawn. Our Lawn Care 7-Step program covers fall caterpillars and is the usual recommendation for homes that have been hit before.
Active overnight damage gets same-day or next-day scheduling. Call (941) 297-2606 with your address.
Call (941) 297-2606 or email [email protected] for a free inspection.
30 seconds. No obligation. Most quotes same-day.
By completing this form, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and consent to receive automated service notifications and promotional offers via SMS. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text HELP for help, STOP to unsubscribe.
Webworms and armyworms aren't the only lawn threat in autumn. Here's what else we handle.
Fertilization, weed control, and turf-matched pest treatment. Thicker, greener results in 90 days or we re-treat free.
Learn more → GET A FREE ESTIMATE →
Ants, roaches, spiders, rodents — one visit eliminates, quarterly service keeps them gone.
Learn more → GET A FREE ESTIMATE →
Termites, mosquitoes, bees, palm injections — targeted specialty work, same guarantee.
Learn more → GET A FREE ESTIMATE →Real reviews from real neighbors in Bradenton, Sarasota, Parrish, Venice, and beyond.
The more you combine, the less you pay. Every plan includes the full money-back guarantee — no contracts, cancel anytime.
The foundation. Covers your home inside and out, every quarter.
Add lawn care, mosquito, or termite protection.
Our most popular plan. Pest, lawn, and one more — all covered.
Complete home protection. The biggest savings we offer.
Not sure which plan fits? Start with Bronze — upgrade anytime, no fees.
Caterpillars are one problem. Here's the rest of what Sarasota lawns fight.
Slow-release, seasonally adjusted blends matched to your grass type. Thicker, greener in 90 days.
Learn more → GET A FREE ESTIMATE → Pre-emergent and selective post-emergent treatments that kill weeds without killing your turf.
Learn more → GET A FREE ESTIMATE → Chinch bugs, sod webworms, armyworms, grubs — turf-specific pest treatments that save your lawn.
Learn more → GET A FREE ESTIMATE → Fertilization and pest treatment for ornamentals, palms, and shrubs. Keeps the whole yard healthy.
Learn more → GET A FREE ESTIMATE →Tell us what's bugging you. We'll handle the rest — most quotes go out same-day.
30 seconds. No obligation. Most quotes same-day.
Every service comes with a full money-back guarantee. We re-treat for free first. Still not happy? Full refund — no forms, no waiting period.
Pests come back between visits? We come back — same week, no extra charge.
Call before noon, we can usually be there today. Not next week.
Month-to-month. Stay because it's working, not because you're stuck.
Takes 30 seconds. Zero obligation.
Don't take our word for it — here's what real customers are saying on Google.
Quick answers from our SWFL pest pros.
Call (941) 297-2606 now. Caterpillar populations double every 3–5 days — don't wait.
