Red Thread is a common summer fungus that is caused when weather conditions create the perfect environment for fungus to grow. It manifests itself as pink/brown dinner plate sized spots in your lawn. The tips of the blades are affected by the fungus and cause discoloration.
Red Thread is most noticeable after a few days of warm temperatures (70 degrees or higher) and rainfall. You may see it only in sunny areas of your lawn and not in the shade as the sunlight activates it.
There are some steps you can take to help reduce the spread of this disease.
- Bag your mower clippings and dump off-site.
- Sharpen & wash off your mower blades before & after you mow!
- Avoid any night/evening watering. This will only aggravate the fungus.
- If you have an irrigation system, allow the lawn to dry out for a few days.
This fungus condition is associated with high soil acidity. We can add a Lime Application to your program if it is not already included. This will help balance your lawn’s pH. Alternatively, our Soil Enrichment Program is a great way to improve your soil quality as well as reduce the likelihood of turf disease and fungus. The proprietary blend of ingredients works to improve the quality of the soil by using fungicides (amongst other things) to help prevent and/or cure the lawn of insects/diseases, including Red Thread. It stops the fungus from spreading altogether, and as the grass grows out the disease will grow out with it. After just a few mows you will see the pink hue leave the lawn.
