What's Wrong With My Lawn? | |
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Brown Patch (also called Rhizoctonia Blight)
Symptoms/Signs: The fungus infects the leaf area closest to the soil, disrupting transport of water and nutrients to the upper portions of the foliage and eventually killing the leaf.
This disease usually begins as small patches (1 foot) that turn yellow and then reddish-brown, brown or straw-colored as the leaves start to die. Patches can expand. It is not uncommon to see rings of yellow/brown turf with apparently healthy turf in the center. |
Brown patch fungus |
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Grubs
White grubs are immature scarab beetles. They hatch from eggs laid in the soil, have three larval stages. This life cycle can last from 1 - 3 years. The adults are rarely turf pests, but some may feed on tree leaves ornamentals.
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Grub adult & larva |
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Signs of Infestation
When white grubs feed on grass roots, the grass gradually thins, yellows, and dies. In addition, white grubs attract raccoons and birds, which can make an already damaged area look worse.
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Fire Ants
Fire ants usually build mounds in sunny, open areas such as lawns. Mounds or nests may be located in rotting logs, around trees and stumps, under pavement and buildings, and occasionally indoors. When their nests are disturbed, numerous fire ants will quickly run out of the mound and attack any intruder. Some people have allergic reactions to fire ant stings that range from rashes and swelling to paralysis, or anaphylactic shock. In rare instances, severe allergic reactions cause death. In addition to stinging humans, imported fire ants can also sting your pets as well.
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 Fire ants |
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Chinch Bugs
An infested lawn displays discolored patches, which are usually circular in shape. Injury typically occurs first in water-stressed areas along the edges of the lawn or where the grass is growing in full sunlight St. Augustine grass cultivated on high, dry, sandy or shell soil is especially vulnerable to chinch bug damage. Chinch bugs are not evenly distributed in an infestation site; rather, infected plots are scattered throughout the area. Chinch bugs can come from your neighbor's yard or be transported by lawn mowing equipment.
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Nymph / short-winged / long-winged chinch bug (Blissus insularis) |
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What is the proper mowing height for my lawn?
According too the University of Florida, mowing too short is the # 1 cause of turf decline to Florida lawns. Select the proper mowing height for your lawn. Measure the grass plants after mowing a very small area, then adjust your mower as necessary. Always mow your lawn at the recommended cutting height.Optimal mowing height in inches
| St. Augustine grass & Bahia grass |
3.0 to 3.5 inches |
| Centipede grass |
1.0 to 1.5 inches |
| Zoysia grass |
1.0 inch |
| Common Bermuda grass |
1.0 to 1.5 inches |
| Hybrid Bermuda grass |
0.5 to 1.0 inches |
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More Tree Tips
- Trees and Shrub Pests
- Four Seasons of South Florida
- Keys to a Healthy Lawn
- What's Wrong With My Palms?
- What's Wrong With My Trees?
- What's Wrong With My Lawn?
- Common Weeds in South Florida Lawns
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