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Treating Common Lawn Pests & Diseases By Turf Type

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Taylor Machuca-Koniw
Treating Common Lawn Pests & Diseases By Turf Type

Have you noticed your lawn looking less than healthy lately? Maybe there are some bald patches, spots of brown or yellowing grass, or you have even noticed physical signs of an insect infestation.


When your grass is under attack by either lawn pests or fungal disease, it will become apparent. There will be the above telltale signs along with an increase in moth activity (if there’s an insect problem) and a spongy texture to the grass when walking on it.


Here are some popular turf varieties along with their most common pests & diseases so you can determine the correct way to treat your lawn:


1. Buffalo grass


Lawn fungus:

  • Dollar spots: Presenting in brown, dried-out circles in the lawn, dollar spots are named so as they are often the size of a dollar, yet can be larger in diameter.
  • Brown patches: Brown, dry grass appearing in patches in the lawn. 
  • Fairy rings: Semi-circles of dark green grass with signs of dying grass blades are often a sign of lawn fungi.


If you notice any of the above in your buffalo lawn, it is recommended to use a good quality fungicide. To prevent brown patches, consider applying slow-release fertiliser and aerate the soil.


Lawn insects:

  • Army worms: These notorious grass feeders will cause dead brown patches in your lawn within days. 
  • Lawn grubs and beetles: Black lawn beetles and grubs such as cutworm are common pests to buffalo lawn types. You will notice chewed up grass blades and yellow patches in the lawn if there’s an infestation.


You can treat insect damage to your buffalo grass with either a bucket of soapy water over the affected area or, using a high-quality insect killer for lawns.


There are buffalo turf types that are pest-resistant, which can be worth investing in if lawn pests are stopping you from having your dream lawn!


2. Kikuyu grass


Lawn disease:

  • Kikuyu yellows: Kikuyu yellows is the primary disease of Kikuyu turf. It is a fungal disease that affects the root system causing root and grass death presenting in yellow circles.
  • Leaf spot: Leaf spot is a disease that affects Kikuyu, resulting in small dark brown circular spots on leaves and stems. 


For Kikuyu lawn disease, prevention is better than cure. There is no treatment for Kikuyu yellows, so the best you can do is to prevent it by regularly applying fertiliser, avoiding mowing and walking on wet grass, and aerating your soil.


For leaf spot, you can apply a turf fungicide and ensure you aerating your soil for better irrigation and air movement. 


Lawn insects:

  • Billbugs: These pests commonly occur from spring to autumn, and are more common in Kikuyu turf varieties. Affected areas will appear as brown, thin and dead grass spots that can be easily plucked out by hand. 


Apply a quality insecticide to control billbug infestation and keep your Kikuyu well-maintained, making sure you get rid of weeds to deter pests.



3. Couch grass


Lawn disease:

  • Dead spot: Also known as ‘spring dead spot’, this lawn disease commonly affects couch grass, first appearing in spring. It will start off as circular, bleached patches in the grass and grow bigger over time.
  • ERI: Also referred to as ‘Couchgrass Decline’, ERI (Ectotrophic Root Infecting Fungi) infects the roots of your couch grass causing straw coloured patches and thinning grass blades.


If you notice the above symptoms in your Couch grass, treat the disease with a quality fungicide for lawns and effectively manage dead spots by fertilising, improving soil drainage, and reducing thatch early in the season. 


Lawn insects:

  • Couch mites: These common lawn pests can often be seen in the grass forks, blades, or shoots. They can cause yellowing grass tufts, dead grass, and thin, bare patches.


Get rid of couch mites by mowing the affected areas (remembering to clean the lawnmower afterwards) and applying a registered lawn insecticide.


4. Zoysia grass


Lawn disease:

  • Lawn rust: This fungal lawn disease typically affects zoysia grass, resulting in rusty orange leaf blades and powdery spores that can be rubbed off with the fingers. Lawn rust occurs in late summer, early autumn and will make your grass thin and weak.


Lawn rust can be treated with a lawn fungicide. It may also be necessary to mow and dispose of the affected grass to prevent it from spreading. 


Lawn insects:

  • White grubs: A common pest in zoysia that feeds on grassroots, resulting in dead, brown grass and bare spots.


To get rid of white grubs, dethatch your lawn first then apply a pesticidal product. 



The best way to combat common lawn pests and disease is through prevention. Proper lawn care and maintenance including regular mowing, dethatching and fertilising can stop lawn disease and pests from damaging your grass. If you have already noticed lawn damage, then most fungal diseases and pests can be treated with a fungicide and insecticide designed for lawns.

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