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5 Ways to Kill Large and Brown Patch Fungus

5 Ways to Kill Large and Brown Patch Fungus

Large and Brown Patch Fungus are cased by different strains of the Rhizoctonia solani fungus.  This fungus is most active from November to March when grass stays wet more than 48 hours and temperatures are below 80 degrees Fahrenheit leaving your grass with circular yellowing patches of dead grass.  Large and Brown Patch Fungus most often affect St Augustine grass and Zoysia grass sod species.  Lucky for you, there are preventive solutions to your problem.  As always a regular watering and fertilization regimen specific to your species of sod as well as a team of highly trained lawn spray professionals will help but in case you forgot you can take matters into your own hands.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE using slow release nitrogen based fertilizers verses liquids or quick release in the amount specified for your species of sod.  Also not mowing when sod is wet or soggy and irrigating in the early morning hours between 2 AM and 6 AM.  Because temperatures are cooler less water is needed. With that being said, don’t go crazy and shut the water off.  Sod still needs water to survive even during months of dormancy just not as often.  Look for vertically folded blades of grass as a sign of drought and add an application of water.

FUNGICIDES work best if applied as a preventative measure.  Applying fungicides from September 20th to November 20th and again from March 10th to April 10th will help keep a possible outbreak under control during the fungus’ active months.  Flutolanil is the active ingredient in the systemic fungicide ProStar used to kill a number of fungus strains including large and brown patch fungus.  Please read all manufacturer’s instructions for best results.  When in doubt hire a spray company professional to treat your lawn with fungicides.

INSECTICIDES are also an effective way to kill sod webworms.  Insecticides which contain the active ingredient spinosad and are applied as the manufacturers label suggests can help kill sod webworms populations.

MICROBIAL BACTERIA  can be used to kill sod webworms.  Bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occurring bacterium which poisons the stomachs of caterpillars but does not damage other insects.  This is best applied two weeks after the emergence of the moths.  This bacteria kills all caterpillars and is not recommended for people who have butterfly gardens.

OVER SEEDING in areas which are thinning or have been devoured by sod webworms can aesthetically benefit your lawn as well as protect your grass from sod webworms.  Rye grasses and fescues seed is infused with a natural fungus that worms don’t like the taste of and will kill sod webworms who try to feed. The fungus sticks around for as long as the grass does. These grasses are seasonal and used on golf courses when sod goes dormant to keep it green.  They will die with the first signs of summer’s heat.

So there you have it.  The 5 Ways to Kill Sod Webworms or you can always hire these guys to do it for you.

5 Ways to Kill Your Grass

5 Ways to Kill Your Grass
Sod Webworms Dead Grass

Although planing to kill your grass is probably not on your agenda for the weekend, here are five sure fire ways to make sure you do it right.  You only have to choose one method but if you really want to get it done and have several thousand to spend on a new sod after you kill your grass then combine a few of your favorites and have at it.

WATER, WATER, and not enough WATER.  If you really want to kill your grass do it using water, then apply more than 3/4 of an inch of water during one watering and do it more than three times a week.  In fact, go outside and make sure your rain censor is broken and you are watering while its raining or right after it rains.  Then if the blades of grass are still open instead of folded water it again.  This will not only encourage fungus growth but also take all root rot which will have your sod lawn decaying in no time. Black and tan is in, no mater what your HOA says.  In the Winter, don’t adjust you irrigation clock to water less just shut it off, so now your sod lawn will stress from the cold as well as from lack of  water.  When the leaf blades fold in half, ignore it, the lawn grass should quickly go dormant, turn brown and not recover in the Spring.

FERTALIZE the MANURE OUT OF IT.  Nothing says chemical burn and water contamination like too much nitrogen.  You should apply way more than 1 pound per 1000 square feet of sod grass, and as with everything, timing is important.  Don’t wait until Spring after the last freeze do it in December or January when the sod grass is dormant and not growing to kill your grass.  You’ll be the envy of all your neighbors as your sod grass turns those festive fall colors of oranges and yellows. Or hey, why fertilize at all.  Be the only one on your block whose sod goes from green, to light green, to yellow to brown because you’re using the fertilizer without iron or none at all.

WEEDS ARE PLANTS TOO.  You just want it green.  It could be Crab Grass, Blue Grass, Nut Sedge, Goose Grass or Dalisgrass, no need for a preemergent herbicide so who really needs a spray company, not you.  If you really like the look of broadleafs like Spurge, Oxalis, Dandelion, Clover no need for a postemergent herbicide like 2-DP or 4-M.  Your sod grass will be replaced by the lusciousness of these amazing bloomers just in time for Spring.  Who doesn’t like blowing seeds into the wind while making wishes?  Maybe you’re wishing to kill your grass?

MOW, MOW, MOW.  You’re busy, we get it and some things just get neglected and that sod lawn is no exception.  So who cares the HOA is leaving nasty emails and stickers on the door.  It can go one more week and then cut more than a third of the blade off at one time.  In fact, if you have St. Augustine grass sod, cut it on your mowers lowest blade height, way less than 4 1/2 inches.  And when it’s cold, no matter what type of sod grass you have, cut it all the time, every week in fact.

INSECTS ARE OUR FRIENDS.  AWWWWWW you have hundreds of little grey moths fluttering at you feet when you walk through your sod grass.  Sod webworm caterpillars are feasting at your front door, no need for insecticides or introducing a natural predator.  You’ll have brown patches all over your sod lawn in no time. Just tell the HOA manicured is out, you’re going for the more organic look.  Chinch bugs, ground pearls, spittlebugs, grass mites, mole crickets, white grubs, armyworms, grass loopers and billbugs are all delighted and eager to enjoy the smorgasbord you’ve laid out in your front lawn.

Mission accomplished……………

5 Ways to Kill Sod Webworms

5 Ways to Kill Sod Webworms

Sod webworms are nocturnal caterpillars which destroy lawns in August through November leaving you with brown dead patches of grass and nasty letters from your homeowners association.  Fortunately, there are preventive and post infestation solutions to your problem.  As always a regular watering and fertilization regimen specific to your species of sod as well as a team of highly trained lawn spray professionals help but in case you forgot you can take matters into your own hands.

REMOVE THATCH using a plug aerator, power rake, or a garden rake and good ole elbow grease.  The thatch layer of your sod gives the sod grass a layer of insulation and protection from colder temperatures.  However, a thatch layer thicker than 1/2 layer gives the sod webworm caterpillar a place to build his silky threaded home.  Dethatching your lawn once a year making the living conditions unsuitable for the insect encouraging them to live elsewhere.   You can easily rent a plug aerator or a power rake from your local hardware or construction equipment rental store.

BENEFICIAL NEMATODES such as Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabdtis bacteriophoraare are worms which can be purchased and applied to the sod.  The nematodes are not harmful to humans or pets.  Because sod webworms are nocturnal and UV light kills nematodes it is best to apply them in the early evening after sunset.  This method is only effective in lawns which have not been treated with an insecticide within 60 days of application. Please read all manufacturer’s instructions for best results.

INSECTICIDES are also an effective way to kill sod webworms.  Insecticides which contain the active ingredient spinosad and are applied as the manufacturers label suggests can help kill sod webworms populations.

MICROBIAL BACTERIA  can be used to kill sod webworms.  Bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occurring bacterium which poisons the stomachs of caterpillars but does not damage other insects.  This is best applied two weeks after the emergence of the moths.  This bacteria kills all caterpillars and is not recommended for people who have butterfly gardens.

OVER SEEDING in areas which are thinning or have been devoured by sod webworms can aesthetically benefit your lawn as well as protect your grass from sod webworms.  Rye grasses and fescues seed is infused with a natural fungus that worms don’t like the taste of and will kill sod webworms who try to feed. The fungus sticks around for as long as the grass does. These grasses are seasonal and used on golf courses when sod goes dormant to keep it green.  They will die with the first signs of summer’s heat.

So there you have it.  The 5 Ways to Kill Sod Webworms or you can always hire these guys to do it for you.