After the hot dry temperatures in July, everyone has some turf damage. So what do you do now?
Watch for turf insects.
- Chinch bugs: summer insect
Small, BB size, black body with whitish wings, some without wings
On leaf blades sucking moisture or on the ground
- Grubs: May/June larva causing Summer and Fall damage
Larva of June Beetles, creamy white and C-shaped
Feeds on turf roots
Armadillos love to eat them and will dig holes in your turf
- Army worms: August/September
Striped one-inch worms
Discolors turf
Seen on sidewalks or marching on your turf – looks like your yard is moving
Although we have had some rain in August, continue to water to a depth of 4 to 6 inches every time you water. This may mean leaving your sprinklers on for 30 minutes or more per cycle, depending upon your water pressure and volume. If you water deeply, you can usually get by on irrigation once every 3-4 days. To make sure you water deep enough, take a sample and look at the soil. If it is deep enough, allow the soil to dry out between watering.
Insect and/or drought damaged turf can result in addition weeds in Winter and Spring. It will be important to put a good pre-emergent on your turf in the Fall and again late Winter/early Spring.
Contact Don Felan’s LawnAmerica at 214-738-0833, or visit www.lawnamericaProsperTX.com.