The Top 4 Lawn Pests and Diseases in Colorado and How to Prevent Them

Maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn in Colorado can be a challenging task, especially when dealing with pests and diseases. A healthy lawn not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your property but also increases its value. However, pests and diseases can cause significant damage to your lawn if not identified and treated on time. In this article, we will discuss some of the top lawn pests and diseases in Colorado and provide tips on how to prevent them.

Top Lawn Pests in Colorado

Japanese Beetles:

Japanese beetles are one of the most destructive lawn pests in Colorado. These beetles feed on the leaves and flowers of plants, causing significant damage to your lawn. They are commonly found in the eastern part of Colorado and can be identified by their metallic green body and copper wings.

Prevention Tips:

• Handpick and remove the beetles from your lawn in the early morning when they are least active.
• Apply insecticides to the affected areas of your lawn, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Grubs:

Grubs are the larvae of beetles, such as the Japanese beetle and the June beetle. These pests feed on the roots of your grass, causing significant damage to your lawn. You can identify grubs by their white, C-shaped bodies.

Prevention Tips:

• Apply nematodes to your lawn, which are natural parasites that attack grubs.
• Apply insecticides to the affected areas of your lawn, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Sod Webworms:

Sod webworms are another common lawn pest in Colorado. These pests are the larvae of moths and feed on the blades of grass, causing significant damage to your lawn. You can identify sod webworms by the small, white moths that fly out of your grass when disturbed.

Prevention Tips:

• Apply insecticides to the affected areas of your lawn, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Encourage natural predators, such as birds, to feed on the sod webworms.

Chinch Bugs:

Chinch bugs are small, black bugs that feed on the sap of your grass, causing significant damage to your lawn. They are commonly found in the southern and eastern parts of Colorado.

Prevention Tips:

• Apply insecticides to the affected areas of your lawn, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Encourage natural predators, such as birds, to feed on the chinch bugs.

Top Lawn Diseases in Colorado

Brown Patch:

Brown patch is a common lawn disease in Colorado, especially during hot and humid weather. This disease is caused by a fungus that attacks the blades of grass, causing them to turn brown and die.

Prevention Tips:

• Avoid overwatering your lawn, especially during hot and humid weather.
• Apply fungicides to the affected areas of your lawn, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Powdery Mildew:

Powdery mildew is a common lawn disease that affects many types of plants, including grass. This disease is caused by a fungus that forms a powdery, white substance on the blades of grass, causing them to turn yellow and die.

Prevention Tips:

• Avoid overwatering your lawn, especially during hot and humid weather.
• Apply fungicides to the affected areas of your lawn, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Rust:

Rust is a lawn disease that causes the blades of grass to turn yellow or orange, giving them a rusty appearance. This disease is caused by a fungus that thrives in moist and humid conditions.

Prevention Tips:

• Avoid overwatering your lawn, especially during hot and humid weather.
• Apply fungicides
• Once you have identified a fungal disease on your lawn, it’s essential to treat it as soon as possible. Applying fungicides is the best way to control and eliminate fungal diseases from your lawn. Fungicides come in different forms such as granules, liquids, and powders, and each type has its application method.

Conclusion

Fungal diseases can be a menace to your lawn, causing extensive damage and loss of grass. However, with proper lawn care practices, fungal diseases can be prevented and controlled. Proper watering, fertilizing, mowing, and soil aeration can help to keep your lawn healthy and disease-free.

In cases of severe fungal diseases, it’s essential to seek professional lawn care services. Professional lawn care providers have the necessary knowledge, skills, and equipment to treat fungal diseases effectively. They also provide regular lawn maintenance services to keep your lawn healthy and disease-free.

With these tips, you can maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn all year round. Remember, prevention is better than cure. Ensure that you follow proper lawn care practices to prevent fungal diseases from taking over your lawn. Come contact or call us today for more information!