Red Thread Fungus: How to Identify & Treat This Stubborn Lawn Disease

We'd all like a thick, green lawn. Not a brown one or a brown and yellow one. Just green.

That’s not too much to ask for. We don’t think so. For an enjoyable outdoor experience – whether you’re just spending time in great weather, playing fetch with your dog, or having a family get-together – a green lawn is the preferred aesthetic for your favorite activities.

What you don’t want to see are scraggly pieces and patches and messy, unkempt-looking areas. The second you see some strangely colored spots, in fact, you should know things might not be right. A pinkish or reddish color, for instance, might make you concerned.

And it should. Red spots can actually be a result of a common lawn fungus known as red thread.

Let’s look at how to identify red thread lawn disease, treatment for red thread lawn disease, and how lawn care in Memphis, TN, and North Mississippi can help.

What Causes Grass Diseases In Memphis, TN and North Mississippi Lawns?

Any lawn fungus only comes out in the best of conditions.

If your lawn is stressed, a lawn disease can develop. It’s similar to how negative health impacts can happen when you’re stressed. Maybe you get a headache, for instance, or can’t sleep. But while your stress may involve work or family issues, your lawn gets stressed for other reasons.

Mowing improperly, for example, can stress your lawn out. This usually means mowing too short or mowing more than one-third of the grass blades at one time.

Watering correctly is also important. If you water too much or in the evening when your lawn can’t dry out before nightfall, then you encourage disease-causing conditions, such as persistent wet, humid areas.

These cultural practices are part of what causes a lawn fungus. Starting by perfecting these practices can be a good place for disease prevention.

How to Identify Red Thread Lawn Disease

You might think you’re hallucinating the first time you see what look like reddish-pink patches in your lawn. Maybe it’s just the sun playing tricks on you.

But if you take a closer look, you may see that these spots really do look different from your traditional green, healthy lawn areas.

Red thread lawn fungus is the culprit. And it’s named after those pinkish-red, spiky threads that seem to extend out from the tips of your grass blades. Let’s dive deeper into understanding this disease and treatment options.

What Does Red Thread Lawn Disease Look Like?

When you hear the name and see the description, you might think red thread is easy to identify.

This disease crops up early in the year, preferring cool, moist conditions in spring.

Red thread may look like it causes ragged grass blades that are dying from the tip down, but it’s actually the result of your grass blades growing a fungus. This fungus is called Laetisaria fuciformis, and it’s the reason this lawn fungus is hard to control since the fungus grows beneath light tan or beige grass, which masks the disease.

Where Do You Find Red Thread?

The lawn fungus first needs a host plant to infect: your grass. Then it needs conditions that bring it out. These include excess rain combined with temperatures ranging from 59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

In terms of times of year, this is usually in spring and fall. Sometimes you’ll see red thread in summer if we’re experiencing prolonged rainy, cool days.

If your lawn is short of nitrogen in its fertilization, this can weaken it, also making it more susceptible to disease.

Once you have this lawn fungus, it can spread to other areas by wind and even contaminated lawn equipment like your mower.

How to Treat Red Thread Lawn Disease

In addition to proper lawn care practices like we detailed above (those include correct fertilization; precise mowing; proper watering; and annual aeration), you may need some extra care for full red thread lawn fungus treatment.

A supplemental nitrogen application usually helps fix red thread, but you may also want to inquire about curative fungicide treatment options.

With lawn disease being such a major concern in Memphis, TN, and North Mississippi, you want to make sure you work with a lawn care service provider who is educated on lawn diseases, so they can properly identify and eliminate issues.

You Can Have a Red Thread-Free Lawn in Memphis, TN, and North Mississippi

With red thread, the main point you want to remember is that maintaining adequate lawn nutrition levels can lessen the disease impact and even help your lawn recover faster from red thread.

If conditions are present for red thread lawn fungus, fertilization can help your lawn grow out the diseased areas. As weather conditions improve, the disease will continue to disappear as your lawn gets stronger and stress is lowered.

If you’re still worried about weird spots you’re seeing in your lawn, let Lawn & Pest Solutions help. We know how lawn diseases work in Memphis, TN, and North Mississippi and can help you quickly get your green lawn back.

Ready to learn why Lawn & Pest Solutions could be your choice for lawn disease control services in Memphis, TN, and North Mississippi? We’d love to learn more about you and help you have the best lawn on the block. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we can prepare a customized plan that is perfect for you and your lawn.

Image Source | Red Thread