Methods Of Control - If your hay crop is under attack by armyworms one method of dealing with them is to harvest early. While harvesting a hay crop prematurely is no oneâs first choice, it is a highly effective way of dealing with an armyworm infestation, and it does not affect forage quality. Even if the armyworms survived the mowing and baling, they would not survive long under the conditions found in a traditional hay bale or round bale. Those worms not killed by the process itself either become easy pray for birds or expire from prolonged exposure to the sun and the removal of their food source.

Since harvesting your hay or corn crop early may not be an alternative, chemical spraying may be necessary. If corn has reached a certain height, however, only aerial spraying is a viable alternative. Insecticide applications to control armyworm should be judiciously applied and a decision to control armyworm with an insecticide should be based on crop size or stage, armyworm size, crop damage and anticipated movement of larvae from one field to another. Besides the expense of application, insecticides could also kill natural insect predators that normally control armyworm.

Self-Defense Against Armyworms - Farmers can also help the cause or armyworm prevention with some basic field management techniques. Since armyworm infestations begin in grass, farmers should, wherever possible, eliminate those patches of grass that are left standing which surround utility poles, woodchuck holes and around the perimeter of hay and cornfields. It is recommended that this be done as late in the year as possible to ensure that armyworms would have as few breeding grounds as possible when next spring arrives.