Page 19 - Lawn & Landscape Guide AL

Turf Pest Alert: Surface feeding insects are still active and must be controlled to prevent turf injury. Grub worms, spittle bugs, mole crickets, chinch bugs are currently active therefore quick identification and action must be taken. A good way to check for turf pests is to take a 4 square foot area, framed up with 2x4’s. Put 5-6 table spoons of dish washing liquid to 2 gallons of water in a bucket and mix up. Pour over the 4 sqft area and wait a few minutes. If turf pests are present they should come to the surface and be able to be seen. Apply insecticide as needed.
Turf Disease Alert: The month of July is more of the same. Turf disease are still active and identification is key. Brown Patch, Leaf Spot, and Take All Patch are among the most common in the month of June. Brown patch generally has an area of turf yellowing/browning and that area continues to spread. Centipede Brown Patch-look for brown to reddish colored areas. St. Augustine Brown Patch-Brownish patch and often a yellow halo around the outer edges and the affected area. Leaf spot symptoms appear as small dark purple to black spots which enlarge with centers fading to tan, often with a yellow halo. Take all patch is a serious turf disease that causes root rot. It is cause by a soil borne fungus. Reduce standing water and areas that retain moisture. Also, early morning watering is best to prevent turf diseases. Apply fungicides to help control these diseases.
Mosquito Control: Mosquitos are still active. Remove all standing water, including old tires, buckets, pet bowls, etc. to help prevent breeding grounds for mosquitos. Gutters are also a great place for mosquitos to congregate. Keeping clean gutters will prevent excess moisture which will deter mosquito breeding. Apply an insecticide with fast knockdown, long residual, and an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) to actually help break the life cycle.
Tree and Shrub Care
Inspection: Always inspect your landscape for insect and disease activity. We are in an ideal geographical location for both.