2 minute read
Brown Spots in Your Lawn
Two common causes
Grubs
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are a nasty little pest that lives underground. After the larvae hatches, they move up in the soil to feed on the roots of the grass. This will usually happen around June, July & August. Damage to the lawn is seen in late August and early September. In early fall they burrow down to escape the cold – too deep for any pest control to reach them, so it’s best to treat for grubs earlier than that. If not treated and killed, they will return the following year much more robust, fat and sassy, and ready to feast on your lawn again. Since they are hiding in the soil, it’s best to keep an eye out for them by the signs they leave behind. Some of these will include:
• A spongy lawn - This will usually happen before anything else, but isn’t always a sign that you have grubs, since this could be the result of over watering.
• Signs of animals looking for a quick meal - Raccoons, Moles and Skunks love grubs. It is a nuisance for them to tear up your yard looking for a meal, but it can be helpful clue for grubs.
• Spreading brown patches in your lawn that never turn green. Pull at these patches and the grass comes up with very little resistance and root structure, or like rolled carpet.
Fungus
is generally brought on by improper watering practices. Water that sits too long on the lawn encourages fungus, so it is best to water in the early morning and not at night, when any excess water doesn’t evaporate off. Here are a few signs to look for to spot a fungus problem:
• Spreading brown patches - Try the same pull test on the brown patch of lawn that we outlined for grubs. With fungus damage the grass stays put, instead of coming up easily.
• Malleable Grass - If you can step on it and the grass doesn’t snap back up, you could have a fungus problem.
The goal for a fungus issue is to stop it before it can spread to your entire lawn. Treating the fungus as well as changing watering schedules can help.
It you have any grub or fungus concerns, give us a call! 435-773-6456 or landscape@swmlife.comwww.swmlife.com
