Responding (not reacting) to Armyworms

Armyworms are a seasonal threat in Aiken pastures — not guaranteed every year, but common enough to take seriously. When they do appear, they move fast, often leaving visible damage within days.

The instinct is to react just as quickly — and that usually means reaching for broad-spectrum, fast-acting chemistry.

It can be effective, but it’s also blunt.

That kind of approach often wipes out more than the target pest — disrupting pollinator activity, delaying grazing, and throwing off the soil biology we spend all year trying to build and over time, that adds up.

You may stop the worms, but you also set your pasture back, weeds creep in, forage loses its footing, inputs go up, and the balance we worked so hard to find disappears.

The New Playbook: Smarter Chemistry, Responsive Thinking

Thanks to updated guidance from South Carolina’s Department of Pesticide Regulation, certain products — including those traditionally used in turf or sod — can now be applied to pastureland under 2(ee) labeling. That opens up new opportunities to treat pests more precisely and responsibly.

But there’s a catch:

You have to know the rules.

You have to understand the chemistry.

And you have to be licensed to do it right.

We’ve put in that work — not just to gain access, but to apply these tools with intention. It’s allowed us to build pasture programs that protect pollinators, minimize grazing downtime, and respond quickly when outbreaks hit.

It Starts with Biological Strategy — Not Overreaction

Our default isn’t to spray at the first sign of chewing, we start with prevention:

• Building pasture health from the soil up

• Scouting and timing applications to pest life cycles

• Prioritizing biological and species-specific treatments when possible

But when pressure hits, we’re not boxed in.

Because of the credentials and training behind our program, we can pull from a carefully selected set of unique, pasture-legal, pollinator-conscious products that offer fast, targeted control without the usual tradeoffs.

This isn’t guesswork, it’s regulated, it’s science-backed, and it’s built for the long-term health of your pasture — not just this week’s pest.

When Heavier Chemistry Is Needed, Recovery Matters

In high-pressure infestations, stronger treatments may be appropriate. These tools provide rapid control, but they don’t operate in isolation — they can also affect microbial activity, soil structure, and overall plant resilience.

That’s why recovery should be part of the plan. Following treatment with biological inputs, humic support, and targeted nutrient recovery helps restore balance, rebuild root systems, and re-establish healthy forage.

Looking Forward

Armyworm pressure will always be part of the Southeastern pasture equation. But how we prepare, respond, and restore can evolve. By combining legally supported treatment options with pollinator-conscious strategy and recovery-based planning, it’s possible to protect both the pasture and the ecosystem it supports — without compromise.

Let’s Talk Armyworm Strategy

If you’re thinking ahead about pest pressure — or want to build a plan that balances control with care — we’re here to help. Every pasture is different, and so is every response. Let’s build yours intentionally.

Chris Johnson is the co-founder of Juniper EquiLand, providing consultative pasture care for horse properties across Aiken County. Learn more at juniperequiland.com.