Brown patch, dollar spot, grubs, armyworms, chinch bugs and fire ants: signs, timing and what to do about each.
When a lawn turns brown, the cause is often not drought. Fungal diseases such as brown patch and dollar spot appear in warm, humid weather. Insects such as grubs, armyworms and chinch bugs feed on roots and leaves, usually in late summer. Animals like moles dig for grubs, and fire ants build mounds in sunny turf. Because the symptoms overlap, a careful look at the pattern, the timing and the plant itself is the first step.
Response depends on the cause. Fungus is managed with good watering and mowing habits plus fungicide when needed. Insects are scouted and treated when counts justify it, and a grub preventive in early summer protects roots before damage starts. Healthy turf, correct watering and good timing prevent many problems before they begin. If you are unsure, a quick inspection can save you from treating the wrong thing and wasting a season.
Circles, strips, irregular.
Warm, wet nights.
Eat roots.
Mounds after rain.
Healthy turf.
Avoid wrong treatment.
Core AerationMachine aeration that pulls small soil plugs to relieve compaction, so water, air and nutrients reach the roots.Explore 
Dethatching and Power RakingRemoving the thick mat of dead stems and roots that blocks water and air, so your lawn can…Explore 
Bare Spot and Patch RepairTargeted repair of dead, thin or bare patches with new seed, sod or plugs, so small problems do…Explore 
Lawn Disease ControlIdentification and treatment of lawn diseases such as brown patch, dollar spot and leaf spot, plus the habits…Explore 
Brown Patch TreatmentTargeted treatment and prevention of brown patch, the summer fungus that leaves circular tan patches in fescue lawns.Explore 
Grub ControlPreventive and curative grub treatment to protect your turf from white grubs that feed on roots and ruin…Explore 
Armyworm and Sod Webworm ControlQuick response to caterpillars that chew grass blades, with scouting, treatment and recovery advice for the late-summer season.Explore 
Chinch Bug and Insect ControlIdentification and treatment of chinch bugs, mites and other turf insects that cause yellow, dying patches in hot…Explore Take the quiz, check your lawn or ballpark a budget.
Which Lawn Service Do I Need? QuizAnswer five questions about your lawn, your goals and your budget to see which lawn services to start with.Try it 
Lawn Condition Checker: Treat or Renovate?Tick what you see in your lawn and get a priority list and a plain recommendation: care, treat, renew or renovate.Try it 
Lawn Care Budget PlannerPick a service, set the lawn size and add extras to see a ballpark planning range for your lawn care.Try it Drought patches respond to watering. Disease patches keep spreading, often with a ring or lesions on blades.
Preventives go on in late spring to early summer, before eggs hatch.
Not always. Scouting and history guide the decision.
Topic guideGrass Types ComparedTall fescue, bermuda, zoysia and Kentucky bluegrass compared on sun, shade, wear, water, color and winter look.Learn more 
Topic guideFertilizer Types ComparedQuick release, slow release, liquid, granular and organic fertilizers compared on speed, cost, risk and results.Learn more 
Topic guideWeed Types and ControlsCrabgrass, dandelion, clover, nutsedge, chickweed and more: how to tell them apart and what controls each.Learn more 
Topic guideMowing Heights and ScheduleThe right cutting height by grass type and season, how often to mow and the one-third rule that…Learn more Call us and we will walk your lawn, check the turf and soil and give you an itemized written estimate.
