Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
The moment you peel back a patch of brown turf and see small green or brown caterpillars wriggling in the thatch (the layer of dead grass between soil and green blades), you have found the culprit: sod webworms. These chewing larvae eat grass blades at night, leaving your lawn looking ragged, patchy, and stressed. The right insecticide stops the damage fast, but picking the wrong one means wasted time and more dead grass. This guide breaks down the five most effective products labeled specifically for sod webworms, so you can match the right chemistry to your lawn size and situation.
I’m Rikta — the founder and writer behind Lawn Gear Lab. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Treating a small flower bed or a sprawling two-acre lawn? Each product here shares one critical label claim: it kills listed sod webworms. Here is a data-driven look at the best insecticide for sod webworms to put the green back in your grass.
Quick Picks
- Ferti-lome (16063) Spinosad Insecticide — Best Overall
- Ortho BugClear Lawn Insect Killer — Top Performer
- Bonide (BND60360) Insect & Grub Control — Best Value
- Syngenta Caravan G Insecticide Fungicide — Two-in-One
- Syngenta 25001 Demon Max Insecticide — Long-Life Shield
How To Choose The Best Insecticide For Sod Webworms
Picking the right product is about matching two things: the size of your lawn and the kind of treatment you are comfortable applying. Granules (dry pellets you spread with a spreader) are easiest for large areas, while a liquid concentrate gives you precise spot control around flower beds and vegetable gardens. Every product on this list lists sod webworms on the label, but the active ingredients inside each bag or bottle determine how fast they kill and how long they last.
Contact Killers vs. Systemic (Stomach) Poisons
A contact insecticide, like lambda-cyhalothrin, knocks down webworms on the spot when the granules or spray touch them. A systemic insecticide (also called a stomach poison), like spinosad or imidacloprid, is absorbed into the grass plant; the worm dies when it eats treated grass blades. The best approach for heavy infestations is often a dual-action product that uses both a contact and a systemic ingredient, giving you fast knockdown plus weeks of residual protection in the soil.
Granule Size and Spreader Type
If you are covering more than 5,000 sq. ft., a 20-pound bag of granules is easier than mixing gallons of concentrate. Check whether your spreader (drop or broadcast) is compatible — some products specify a Scotts or SpeedyGreen spreader for even distribution. Small yards or targeted patches are better served by a 32-ounce concentrate or a spot-treatment spray.
Organic vs. Synthetic Chemistry
If you have a vegetable garden or kids and pets playing nearby, an OMRI-listed (Organic Materials Review Institute-listed) product, like spinosad, gives you the confidence that the active ingredient comes from a natural soil bacteria. Synthetic pyrethroids (a man-made chemical version of natural pyrethrins), like lambda-cyhalothrin, are highly effective and very common in lawn care, but they are less selective — they can also kill beneficial insects like bees on contact if applied during bloom.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Active Ingredient | Form | Coverage / Volume | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferti-lome Spinosad | Organic garden protection | Spinosad | Liquid Concentrate | 32 oz. | Amazon |
| Ortho BugClear Granules | Large lawn blanket | — | Granule | Up to 20,000 sq. ft. | Amazon |
| Bonide Insect & Grub Control | Dual-action knockdown | Imidacloprid + Lambda-Cyhalothrin | Granule | 6 lb. | Amazon |
| Syngenta Caravan G | Combined fungus + insect control | — | Granule | 30 lb. | Amazon |
| Syngenta Demon Max | Long-residual perimeter spray | — | Spray | 8.5 lb. | Amazon |
In-Depth Reviews
1. Ferti-lome (16063) Spinosad Insecticide
Organic-certified chemistry that hits webworms without nuking your garden’s good bugs.
If you grow vegetables, herbs, or fruit trees near your turf, this is your safest starting point. The active ingredient is spinosad, a natural substance produced by a soil bacterium that targets the nervous system of chewing insects like sod webworms, armyworms, and tent caterpillars. It is OMRI-listed (approved for certified organic production), so you can spray it on listed vegetables, trees, shrubs, and citrus without worrying about harvest intervals (the waiting time before you can pick produce) the way you would with a synthetic pyrethroid.
The 32-ounce bottle is a concentrate — you dilute 4 tablespoons per gallon of water. That means one bottle makes enough spray for several spot treatments or a medium-sized lawn border. Unlike the 20-pound granular bag of the Ortho BugClear, this gives you precise control over where the chemical lands; you can soak a webworm patch without blanketing the whole yard. Buyers report it also controls leafminers, borers, and Colorado potato beetles, making it a versatile tool if you also manage a garden.
The trade-off is application labor. You need a pump sprayer and the patience to mix and spray, while the Ortho granules simply roll across the lawn with a spreader. For large, open turf with no garden, a granular product may feel faster. But for the homeowner who wants an organic route that works on both lawn pests and edible plants, this spinosad concentrate is the most versatile weapon on the list.
Organic Advantage
- OMRI-listed for certified organic production
- Controls webworms plus 20+ other listed insects
- Small 32-oz. footprint, easy to store
Spray-Only Drawback
- Requires mixing and a sprayer — not a low-maintenance granule
- Coverage area smaller than a 20,000-sq.-ft granular bag
Best for organic growers: Every gardener who needs one insecticide safe for edibles and effective on webworms.
The catch: You are trading spreader convenience for selective chemistry — expect to spend 20 minutes mixing per treatment.
2. Ortho BugClear Lawn Insect Killer
A 20-pound blanket that covers your whole lawn in one pass and stops webworms on contact.
If you measure your lawn in thousands of square feet, not hundreds, this is the most efficient option. The 20-pound bag of granules covers up to 20,000 square feet — a massive area compared to the 6-pound bag of Bonide granules. You apply it with a Scotts drop, SpeedyGreen, or EdgeGuard spreader, then water it in. It kills by contact above and below the ground, so webworms hiding in the thatch die when they crawl through the treated layer.
Owners mention that it works fast: one verified reviewer who applied it liberally in early and late spring saw mole activity vanish by August, thanks to the grub and webworm elimination underneath. Another noted that “the day after applying, the swarms of gnats and mosquitos were gone.” This broad-spectrum lawn insect killer also tackles ants, ticks, fleas, and spiders, so this product does double duty as a perimeter pest barrier around your home’s foundation.
Unlike the spinosad concentrate from Ferti-lome, which needs mixing and a sprayer, the Ortho granules simply roll out and you water them in. The 20-pound bag vs. the 6-pound Bonide bag is a big gap in sheer volume — you buy one box for the whole season. The trade-off: it is not selective, so beneficial insects in the lawn will also be affected. Apply it only when pests are actively present.
The value case: You treat a full acre’s worth of lawn with a single bag. That is the best dollar-per-square-foot ratio of any product here.
Reach for this if: You have a large, open lawn and want one-and-done granular coverage that also repels ticks and ants.
Look elsewhere if: You need a product safe for vegetable gardens — the pyrethroid broad spectrum is not selective.
3. Bonide (BND60360) Insect & Grub Control
Two active ingredients kill webworms in 24 hours and keep them gone for months.
This 6-pound bag of granules packs a dual-action punch that most single-ingredient products cannot match. Bonide combines imidacloprid (a systemic ingredient, meaning the grass absorbs it and webworms ingest it when they feed) with lambda-cyhalothrin (a fast-contact killer). The result: you see dead worms within 24 hours, and the soil stays protected for up to 3 months. At 6 pounds, this bag is noticeably heavier than a typical small bottle but far lighter than the 20-pound Ortho bag, making it easier to carry for a medium-sized lawn.
The granules work for both soil insects and surface dwellers. Since sod webworms live in silk-lined tunnels in the thatch and come out at night to feed, the dual action hits them whether they are above or below ground. You spread it with a standard fertilizer spreader and water lightly immediately after. It also controls chinch bugs, billbugs, cutworms, grubs, and crickets, so it is a strong one-product solution for multiple lawn problems.
The catch is coverage area. At 6 pounds, you cover a smaller yard than the 20,000-sq.-ft Ortho bag, but for the average suburban lot (under 10,000 sq. ft.) the balance of speed, duration, and ease is excellent. Unlike the Syngenta Caravan G, which also targets disease, this one sticks to insects and does it with proven, predictable chemistry.
Dual Punch
- Knockdown in 24 hours plus 3-month soil protection
- Controls both surface insects and grubs in one pass
Smaller Bag
- 6-lb. bag covers less area than a 20-lb. option
- No warranty listed — check your local extension for safe re-entry interval
Who it beats: Anyone who wants the speed of 24-hour contact kill plus the confidence of a systemic residual — the Bonide delivers both in one spreader pass.
The honest limit: Large lawns will need two bags; the Ortho BugClear covers more ground per bag if acreage is your priority.
4. Syngenta Caravan G Insecticide Fungicide
A 30-pound bag that treats both the webworm chewing your grass and the fungus rotting the roots.
If your lawn has a double problem — webworm damage plus a spreading brown patch or take-all patch disease — the Caravan G is the only product on this list that targets both. The label lists sod webworms alongside white grubs, chinch bugs, billbugs, and crane flies on the insect side, and a long list of fungal diseases including pythium blight, brown patch, summer patch, and gray leaf spot. That makes it a turf professional’s go-to for preventive maintenance on golf greens or high-value residential lawns.
The 30-pound bag is the largest by weight here, and the easy-close bag design reduces waste from spills — you can use only what you need and reseal the rest. It is a multi-purpose product intended to be carried on every service vehicle, which tells you it is built for regular, season-long application rather than a one-time emergency rescue. Unlike the Ferti-lome spinosad, which is a spot-treatment concentrate, the Caravan G is a broad broadcast granule for full-yard coverage.
The trade-off is precision. Because it combines insecticide and fungicide, you pay for the disease-control half even if your only problem is webworms. For a yard that is purely insect-driven with no fungal history, the Bonide dual-action is a simpler and cheaper granular choice. But if you have seen the telltale rings of brown patch or the general thinning of take-all (a root rot fungus) in previous summers, the Caravan G is a smarter investment.
Pick this if: Your turf has a history of both insect damage and fungal disease — you treat two problems with one bag.
skip it if: You only have webworms and no lawn disease; the simpler granular products cost less per treatment.
5. Syngenta 25001 Demon Max Insecticide
Ultra-low water solubility that stays put through rain and keeps killing webworms for months.
If you are tired of re-applying after every heavy rain, the Demon Max is built differently. Its active ingredient has low water solubility (it does not dissolve easily in water), meaning it does not leach into water supplies and holds its position in the soil and thatch longer than most wettable powders. Syngenta claims it provides “the ultimate in long residual for protection that lasts,” and the target species list is massive — ants, aphids, chinch bugs, cockroaches, fleas, millipedes, mosquitoes, scorpions, spiders, termites, ticks, wasps, and yes, sod webworms. It covers both subterranean and Formosan termite species as well, making it a heavy-duty perimeter barrier as much as a lawn pest killer.
At 8.5 pounds, it is heavier than the 6-pound Bonide bag but lighter than the 30-pound Caravan G. Compare that to the Ortho BugClear at 20 pounds — the Demon Max sits in a middle weight but delivers a concentrated spray that you dilute and apply with a tank sprayer. The reduced environmental impact claim, according to Syngenta, is backed by the low-leaching formula, which is especially important if you treat near a well, pond, or stream.
The honest catch is that Syngenta markets it as a premium product, and you are buying a concentrated spray that requires more mixing equipment than granules. For a purely webworm-specific outbreak on a small lawn, the Bonide dual-action granules or the Ferti-lome spinosad are faster to use and cheaper per application. The Demon Max shines when you need a long-residual perimeter treatment that also handles termites and structural pests, not just a one-season webworm knockdown.
The standout spec: Low water solubility means the chemical stays where you put it, even through spring downpours — a real advantage over surface-soluble granules that wash away.
Grab this for: Full property perimeter defense where you want one spray to handle webworms, ants, ticks, termites, and mosquitoes for months.
Think twice if: You only have a small webworm patch and do not need the broad-spectrum residual — the simpler options cost less and work just as fast on worms alone.
Understanding the Specs
Contact vs. Systemic Chemistry
A contact insecticide (like lambda-cyhalothrin in Ortho BugClear and Bonide) kills webworms when the chemical touches their bodies. It works fast — within hours. A systemic insecticide (like spinosad in Ferti-lome or imidacloprid in Bonide) is absorbed into the grass plant; webworms eat the treated grass blades and die internally. Products that combine both, like the Bonide Insect & Grub Control, give you fast knockdown plus weeks of soil-level protection because the imidacloprid stays in the root zone.
Granule Size and Coverage Math
Granular insecticides are measured by weight (pounds) and coverage (square feet). The Ortho BugClear covers up to 20,000 sq. ft. from a 20-pound bag, while the Bonide covers less ground from a 6-pound bag. Larger granules spread farther with a broadcast spreader, but you need even distribution to avoid stripes or missed patches. Always water granules in immediately after spreading to activate the chemical and move it into the thatch where webworms feed at night.
OMRI Listing and Organic Certification
OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) lists products that meet the standards for certified organic production. Only the Ferti-lome Spinosad carries this label here. That means it is made from naturally occurring substances (spinosad comes from a soil bacterium) and does not contain synthetic pyrethroids. If you are growing vegetables next to your lawn, an OMRI-listed product lets you spray without worrying about synthetic chemical drift onto edible plants.
Residual Duration and Reapplication
Residual duration tells you how long the insecticide stays active after application. The Bonide dual-action granule claims up to 3 months. The Syngenta Demon Max is formulated for low water solubility (does not wash away easily) so it lasts longer in wet conditions. Products with shorter residuals (like spinosad) require more frequent reapplication — every 2 to 4 weeks during heavy infestations — but break down faster in sunlight, which is better for beneficial insect populations.
FAQ
What is the best time of year to apply insecticide for sod webworms?
How do I know if I have sod webworms in my lawn?
Can I use these products on my vegetable garden?
How long does it take for granules to kill sod webworms?
Will these insecticides kill grubs and other lawn pests too?
Is spinosad safer for bees and beneficial insects?
Can I use a sprayer for the granular products?
How do I store an open bag of insecticide granules?
Do I need to water after applying liquid concentrate?
What does “low water solubility” mean in the Syngenta Demon Max?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
Across the board, the insecticide for sod webworms winner is the Ortho BugClear Lawn Insect Killer because its 20-pound bag covers up to 20,000 square feet, kills webworms by contact within 24 hours, and works with a standard spreader for a fast, no-mix application that customers note showing results the very next day. If you want to treat a lawn that also has a history of fungal disease, grab the Syngenta Caravan G to handle both insects and brown patch in one 30-pound bag. And for the organic gardener who needs a product safe for vegetables and fruit trees, the Ferti-lome Spinosad is the best match with its OMRI-listed approval and broad-spectrum control of webworms plus garden pests.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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