Florida’s Lawn Saboteurs: Time to Take Control

A green, lush lawn is important to most Florida homeowners. The dream is often not possible with the many diseases that can affect lawns and the destruction from yard pests. For proper Orlando lawn care, follow this short list of suggestions.

• Rhizoctonia Solani: This causes a brown patch fungus that presents during the winter when rain falls for several consecutive days. High humidity, which is typical in Florida, and excessive irrigation will also exacerbate outbreaks of R. solani.
• Green Leaf Spots: Floridians love St. Augustine grass as much as green leaf spot does. Resembling Rhizoctonia solani in many respects, green leaf spots distinguishes itself in the condition of the leaf: it is not rotted at the base and the blade and base do not appear dark as it would if the R. solani fungus was present.
• Helminthosporium Leaf Spot: Bermuda grass falls prey to this leaf spot, as do several other warm-season turfgrasses. Thriving on excess moisture, this fungus causes elliptical spots on the lower grass leaves, generally during fall and winter when moisture levels rise. Uncontrolled, these spots migrate to the upper portion of the leaves. Spraying with a fungicide alleviates the symptoms.
• Pythium Root Rot: This type of problem appears after significant amounts of precipitation occur in a poorly drained area, or if a lawn is overwatered. It affects both the crowns and roots of grasses, and from a distance, gives the lawn a yellow or orange splotchy appearance. Fortunately, this problem is alleviated once the area is drained and the damage is rarely permanent.
• Critters: Several invertebrates, such as the chinch bug, mole cricket, and sod webworm thrive on specific varieties of turf. These yard pests damage the lawn by destroying roots and leaving a concave surface, or destroy the stem and leaving the yard looking brown and dead. Their damage is extreme and extensive.

Orlando lawn care experts, Apex Pest Control, are familiar with these lawn situations and more. Please contact us if your lawn is not meeting your standards. Our team is trained to deal with any problem your lawn is having, and we would love to assist you in bringing your lawn to its full potential. You can call us at (866) 675-4070 or fill out our contact form.