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IN THIS SECTION:
Main
Integrated Pest Management
Insect Pests
Weed Control
Plant Diseases
Grass Problems
Tree Management
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Turfgrass Problems
The good news is that if you follow the
simple steps for care of grass outlined in
each season of the Landscape Care Guide, you will prevent
most of the problems listed below. A healthy
turfgrass will have decent soil and organic
material for its roots, a variety of insects that
balance the pests with the good bugs, and
good drainage to avoid chronically wet
areas. If any of these components are missing,
review below for tips to correct them.
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Iron Chlorosis
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What:
Yellowing of leaves caused by a lack of iron. It is common to have south Texas soil that is very alkaline. Plants have difficulty getting
the iron they need.
Threat Level: Low
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Treatment
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Category
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Effectiveness
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Notes
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Spraying Iron
Sulfate or Another
Iron Source
Dissolved in a Pail
and Applied with
Hose-end Sprayer
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Organic Chemical
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High
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A few folks are still spreading the idea that leaving dead leaves on
the lawn contributes to yellow grass. This is not true. When grass
clippings and leaves are cut, they add to the organic content of the
soil and improve its health.
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Fungal Diseases
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What: Dead areas in grass that start during cool weather and can be worsened during the heat of the summer.
Threat Level: Low if caught early and problems leading to it are resolved.
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Treatment
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Category
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Effectiveness
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Notes
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Avoid Excessive
Watering or
Fertilization
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Good Garden Practice
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High
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Excess water and nutrients provide a great breeding ground for fungal disease.
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Raise Up Area by
Top-dressing with
Compost or
Landscape Mix
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Organic Treatment and
Good Garden
Practice
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High
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Raising up the low spot addresses the underlying problem of poor
drainage. A peat mix formulated for top dressing with acidity
helps overcome the fungal problem.
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Fungicide
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Chemical Non-Organic
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High
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Get an accurate diagnosis of the specific problem before resorting
to a fungicide treatment. Fungal treatments are specific to
the disease.
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Turfgrass Problems
The two dominant insect problems that affect Texas lawns in the warm summer
months are grubs and chinch bugs. Although these insect problems can have
an impact on all turf types, St. Augustine varieties are more likely to have problem
infestations. The presence of a few of either type of insect is generally not worthy of
treatment and can cause longer term problems by challenging the balance
of predator and pest insects. A general prevention method is to keep a balance
between caring for your lawn well enough to keep it thick and healthy, but not over-watering
or over-fertilizing in summer months. Very lush and tender growth
promoted by excess irrigation and fertilizer attracts insect pests and provides great
breeding grounds for them.
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Grubs
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What:
Grubs are the larval stage of an insect that infest the softest and deepest portion of your soil. They feed on the roots of your grass
and make it weak and moth-eaten in appearance. Severely damaged grass rolls up like carpet from lack of roots.
Threat Level: None, if there are no visual symptoms and grass looks healthy. If grass looks bad, check infestation level.
Healthy grass that is not over-watered or over-fertilized will not tend to get bad grubs.
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Treatment
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Category
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Effectiveness
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Notes
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Use Product Labeled
for Grubs According
to Package
Instructions
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Non-Organic Chemical
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High
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Shovel out a portion of sod and soil. Turn it and count the
number of grubs. If you count five per square foot, consider treatment.
A smaller number will not cause much damage.
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Chinch Bugs
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What: Chinch bugs are tiny insects that infest the hottest portions of the yard. The worst damage is often in full sun areas or near curbs
or driveways. These insects are only 3/16” long and are hard to see.
Threat Level: During the summer, a few chinch bugs should be expected on lawns. They are only a problem if your lawn quality
is starting to suffer. Patches of lawn that look yellow should be tested for cause and diagnosis.
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Treatment
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Category
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Effectiveness
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Notes
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Use Product Labeled
for Chinch Bugs
According to
Package
Instructions
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Non-Organic Chemical
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High
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Before treating, check level of problem. Cut off both ends of a
coffee can and push it into the areas of the yard that look damaged.
Fill the can with water and watch insects rise to the surface.
The presence of tiny insects is not a concern. Many of the same kind
could be. Confirm the diagnosis with an expert before treating.
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