It can be concerning to notice discolored spots or strange fluffy fungus in your grass. In the Atlanta area, these areas are most likely Pythium Blight or Dollar Spot, treatable diseases that affect lawns throughout Georgia. Arbor-Nomics is your local lawn care provider, and we have fungicide treatments that can help.
In this article, we’ll explore the difference between pythium blight vs. dollar spot, including their symptoms, what causes them, and the environmental conditions that favor each disease.
Pythium Blight
What is Pythium Blight?
Understanding the symptoms of pythium blight vs dollar spot can help you identify the right treatment for your lawn. Pythium Blight (pythium aphanidermatum) is a fungal disease that affects all kinds of grasses, especially turfgrasses. It’s found in circular patterns or streaks, with a purplish-gray color and wet or greasy-looking fungus around the edges which dries into a yellowish-toned or otherwise wilted and irregularly-colored spot that kills grass fast, sometimes overnight. It’s sometimes referred to as “cottony” blight because it can also resemble fluffy white cotton candy or a cobweb.
What causes Pythium Blight?
Pythium blight thrives in hot, humid weather, and is usually most destructive when temperatures reach between 85° and 95° F, which is why we see it so often throughout Georgia. The spores of this fungus are usually spread by water, wind, or when you mow the lawn, so you may see it growing along the same path you’ve been running your lawnmower, or following a water drainage path. It’ll also grow in dips in the lawn where water tends to pool, keeping the soil moist.
Overwatering and overfertilizing your lawn can create an environment this fungus loves, which is why it’s important to stick to a regular lawn care schedule or hire experts who understand the climate and environmental conditions best for your grass.
Dollar Spot
What is Dollar Spot?
One of the tell-tale signs of this disease is the presence of Dollar Spot fungus webs, often visible in the morning dew. Dollar spot is caused by the Carireedia Jacksonii fungus, which creates small yellowish or straw-hued bleached-looking patches of grass in your lawn, usually under twelve inches in diameter. This type of fungus can grow at almost any temperature, and you’ll see Dollar Spot in Zoysia, Bermuda, and Fescue grasses. It’s most common in the late summer and early fall season but can appear at any time throughout the year.
Many people mistake this disease for grass damaged by animal urine, but if you take a closer look at the grass you’ll see cotton-like white Dollar Spot fungus webs growing on the grass in the morning dew, and the blades will change from having a whitish spot on the blades to a tan color with a distinct brown border after being exposed to the sunlight during the day.
What causes Dollar Spot?
Dollar Spot thrives in areas low in nitrogen, so it’s usually found in areas where the soil is unfertilized. The fungus develops quickly in areas with daytime temperatures between 59° and 88° F, developing quickly in high humidity, and it is spread when diseased grass is blown or mowed onto other parts of the lawn. Dollar Spot fungus webs form when high humidity and morning dew create ideal conditions for the fungal spores to spread. It can be difficult to prevent and even more difficult to get rid of without well-timed, professional fungicide treatment and lawn care.
How to prevent lawn fungus in Atlanta
Preventing Dollar Spot in Zoysia grass and other types requires regular aeration, fertilization, and proper drainage. Some steps you can take as a homeowner to avoid having these issues in your grass include:
- Mowing only the top third of your grass to keep it healthy
- Washing your lawn mower between cuttings to prevent fungal spread
- Aerate and fertilize your lawn regularly
- Remove excess leaves, roots, and thatch from your lawn
- Make sure you don’t have pooling water or other drainage issues
- Water your lawn well, without overwatering
- Hire a professional to do your lawn care to ensure it’s done correctly
How We Can Help Your Lawn
It’s important to treat a fungal issue in your lawn right away so it doesn’t spread and damage the entire yard. Atlanta’s climate creates the right mix of humidity and heat that fungus loves, making it a challenge to keep your lawn healthy, but we can help with our Lawn Fungicide Treatment service. Don’t ignore discolored patches in the grass, instead call Arbor-Nomics.
At Arbor-Nomics, our team is experienced in diagnosing and treating lawn diseases. You can trust us to solve the problem, killing off the fungus so your lawn can bounce back to its bright green self once again, and using proactive measures to help your yard resist future fungal outbreaks. Our treatments are effective against various fungi, including Dollar Spot in Zoysia and other common turfgrasses.
Call Arbor-Nomics to Request an Estimate
At Arbor-Nomics, we do all we can to keep local lawns healthy and green. We have several plans to choose from, including our Silver, Gold, and Platinum options. Special add-ons, like our fungicide treatment, are also available. These treatments are designed to care for your grass and allow it to grow lush and full for a better-looking and healthier lawn, restoring its vitality.
If you’re noticing irregular patches in your grass and wondering if it’s pythium blight vs dollar spot, our experts can diagnose and treat the issue effectively. You haven’t done anything wrong, but it does require immediate and comprehensive treatment. Contact us today at (678) 541-7336 or use our online form to request an estimate. We’ll have your lawn looking better in no time.