3 Common Lawn Diseases in Florida

Brown patch or large patch

This disease is most common when temps drop below 80 degrees combined with wet conditions.

Brown Patch

How to identify: Symptoms of large patch, also known as brown patch, are readily observable. Turf damage begins with round, discolored patches that expand over time.

How to treat: The best way to treat large patch is also the best way to prevent it: minimize the time your lawn spends damp by watering only when necessary, and always in the morning. If cultural practices fail to stop large patch, fungicides are also available.

For more information about brown patch, visit the University of Florida’s Gardening Solutions.

Chinch bugs

Chinch bugs can appear in stressed conditions: mowing too short, too much nitrogen or poor irrigation.

Chinch Bugs

How to identify: Areas damaged by chinch bugs appear as yellow to brown patches. The center of these affected areas may even be dead and bare. Injury typically occurs first in grass that's water-stressed or in full sun. Chinch bugs are most active when it is warm, but may cause damage year-round, particularly in South Florida.

How to treat: If you find chinch bugs and the infestation begins to cause damage, treat only with an appropriate pesticide. If you encounter the same pest again and again, rotate the chemical controls you choose each season.

For more information about chinch bugs, visit University of Florida’s Gardening Solutions.

Example of sod webworm activity in a lawn.

Sod Webworms

How to identify: Sodworms are most active spring to fall. Damage includes areas of ragged grass blades that are shorter than other areas of the grass. You may also spot piles of bright green caterpillar droppings. Eventually you will see thinning of the lawn (fewer blades) and brown patchy areas.

How to treat: Identification is important to ensure correct treatment. Once you have identified you have sod webworms there are a number of pesticides you can buy at your local garden store. You can use the proper pesticides to spot-treat the affected areas following label instructions.

For more information about sod webworms, visit the University of Florida’s Gardening Solutions.

Source: UF Gardening Solutions https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/problems-and-solutions/