When it comes to having a healthy and thriving Louisville lawn, disease can really throw a wrench in your plans. Even if you’re doing all the right things, Louisville lawn disease issues can still pop up.
The good news is that lawn diseases can be appropriately dealt with so that they don’t have to become a major problem. In this article, we’ll dive into how to deal with red thread fungus so that you can take the best steps toward keeping your lawn healthy.
As you might have guessed, red thread lawn disease gets its name from its appearance. If this fungus is growing in your grass it looks like a bunch of red (or pinkish) threads. Due to its coloring and string-like appearance, it is often one of the lawn diseases that are easier to spot and identify by Lousiville homeowners.
It’s often one of the earliest lawn diseases that we see growing.
Along with the red string-like growth, you’ll also notice that the grass takes on a ragged, yellow, straw-like appearance. Impacted areas typically show up as patches throughout the lawn.
Like other lawn diseases, red thread lawn disease is caused by a fungus. In this case, it’s the fungus Laetisaria fuciformis which typically shows up during especially rainy time periods in the spring and summer.
It’s important to understand that all lawns are made up of millions of microorganisms, meaning that fungal spores exist on all lawns. But when the conditions are just right (elevated temperatures and excessive moisture), then the spores can multiply. As the balance gets out of whack, this disease can spread and cause problems.
This is part of what is called the “Lawn Disease Triangle.”
The triangle concept illustrates that a lawn disease is caused by three factors:
When all three of these factors are present, Louisville lawn diseases can spread, even if your lawn is healthy.
First and foremost, you should know that a healthy lawn will stand up better to disease than one that is already struggling. A lawn in poor health with bare spots and thin areas is really going to struggle to fight back against a disease. In little to no time, an unhealthy lawn can be ravaged by disease.
This is why it’s so important to keep your lawn thick and healthy. It’s more challenging for a lawn disease to spread on a thick lawn.
Of course, we understand you might be specifically wondering what kills red thread.
There are fungicide treatments that can be used to help keep lawn fungus (like red thread) under control. At Limbwalker, we have three different lawn care programs: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
In the Gold and Platinum packages, lawn fungus treatments are included. That means if you have one of these packages and your lawn starts dealing with a disease, those treatments will be free. If you have the Silver program, you can add that service (or upgrade to a higher-level program).
Fungicides work by stopping lawn fungus in its tracks. Generally speaking, fungicides are effective for about three weeks and then need to be reapplied.
It’s important to keep in mind that fungicides will not fix the damage that has already been done and they are not a cure for lawn fungus. They work by stopping the fungus from spreading further.
If you have already experienced damage from red thread or some other lawn disease, you might require power seeding to fill in any bare spots that were created when your grass died.
It’s also important to keep in mind that lawn care practices can also affect the growth and spread of disease.
For example, good watering habits are crucial. Because lawn fungus (like red thread) can thrive in wet conditions, it’s important to avoid overwatering your lawn. You also want to make sure that you water your lawn early in the morning, allowing ample time for it to dry out.
When you water in the afternoons or evenings, much of that water ends up just sitting on your lawn which can lead to disease growth.
As we mentioned before, promoting a thick and healthy lawn will also support your efforts to ward off disease. Healthy grass will stand up better to lawn fungus than grass that is struggling. Therefore, a strong lawn care program is also a critical component to avoid problems.
Of course, you want to make sure that you are working with a lawn care professional that is making the best choices for your lawn. Red thread lawn disease can thrive in lawns that are low in nitrogen, so proper fertilization will play a role in keeping this disease at bay.
Lawn disease management can be complicated, which is why it’s helpful to have a lawn care professional on your side, helping you make the best decisions for your turf.
One of the keys to success in treating lawn disease is early detection. This is why our technicians are constantly keeping a watchful eye on your lawn. But we also understand sometimes things come up in-between visits.
This is why we encourage keeping the lines of communication open. If you see something on your lawn that concerns you, we want to know.
At the end of the day, the burden of lawn disease does not need to fall on your shoulder. By partnering with a pro, they can help you make the best decisions for a healthy and thriving lawn.
Are you ready to have a thick and healthy lawn that’s getting everything it needs at your Louisville, KY home? Get in touch with us to get a quote for our lawn care programs, which include three lawn care pricing options.
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