Several years ago, scientists took a soil sample from deep below the ice in Antarctica and discovered something familiar- brown patch fungus. This type of fungus is what causes brown circles in your lawn during the hot humid months of summer. Why did they discover it in Antarctica then? They found it in such a place because brown patch is able to remain dormant for many years. The reason that you notice it now is due to the fact that it has become active. Good news for lawn-lovers though; we are able to control it now! Read on to learn more about brown patch lawn fungus and how we control it. Sterling Pest Control provides top lawn and pest control Orlando residents trust. Call Sterling Pest Control in Oviedo today for your lawn care and pest control needs!
Brown Patch Fungus
Brown patch, or Rhizoctonia solani, is a soil-living fungus which becomes active during the humid months where temperatures reach the mid 80’s during the day, and mid to upper 70’s overnight. As the name would suggest, brown patch causes a brownish discoloration of your turfgrass. More specifically, this fungus will begin with lesions on the grass blades. As the brown patch continues to develop, these lesions will spread to cover the entire grass blade, causing thinning and matting of the turf. On the shorter lawns, these patches may look like they have a “smoke ring” of dark gray around the outer edge. The cause of this is because if your lawn is wet going into the evening, then the moisture is able to encourage the growth of brown patch fungi. Moreover, this disease can also be more serious in areas which have less air movement, such as between houses, fences, or plants.
Preventing Brown Patch Lawn Fungus
As previously noted above, this particular disease of the turf is typically the fastest-growing if your lawn is wet going into the evening and night. Sterling Pest Control, who provides pest control Orlando residents trust, notes that in order to prevent brown patch, you should water your lawn in the morning. You should do so preferably between 3:00am-8:00am. Also, having a proper amount of airflow should also be crucial to preventing brown patch. As previously noted, brown patch prefers moist areas; so if you have more airflow in stagnant areas, it will also assist in drying off your turfgrass. Try your best to increase circulation in these areas through removing unnecessary objects or foliage in your backyard. Moreover, a proper regiment of aeration will assist in strengthening your lawn and help to add airflow to the root zone. Of course, the easiest way to help your grass combat any type of turf disease is always to mow it properly.
Contact Us Today
Brown patch lawn fungus can remain dormant for many years and leave unsightly rings on your lawn. However, with the proper aeration and care, it can be easy to get rid of. Sterling Pest Control provides pest control Orlando residents rely on. Call Sterling Pest Control in Oviedo for your lawn care and pest control needs today!