What Are the Treatments for Brown Spots on Lawns?

Fungal Disease Treatments

• Fungal diseases such as necrotic ring spot can cause brown spots to appear in large areas of grass. Once fungal diseases have taken hold of a lawn, they are often difficult to control. Treatments for fungal diseases require good management practices, changing watering frequency and amounts and applying a fungicide to the lawn, according to North Dakota State University. Mow thatch on a lawn with brown spots from a fungal disease vertically to keep thatch less than 1/2 inch thick. Using an aerator is an effective way to remove a core of thatch and surrounding soil, states North Dakota State University. This method provides many benefits for the lawn, such as increased water penetration and promoting healthy root development. Avoid applying fertilizers with excess nitrogen on lawns with fungal disease. Applying a light fertilizer in the spring and summer months should keep your lawn green. Avoid overwatering your lawn to reduce fungal disease symptoms, using light waterings frequently. Applying fungicides to your lawn with brown spots may be beneficial if applied before damage is severe. Use fungicides according to directions for best results.

Lawn Burn Treatments

• Lawn burn is characterized by small, brown patches that appear in your grass. Dog urine is one reason a lawn may look this way. Dog urine has a very high concentration of nitrogen and when urine is placed on grass repeatedly nitrogen burn occurs, which causes brown, burned spots in your grass, according to Pet Education.com. Determine if the brown spots on your lawn are in the same area that your dog urinates frequently. If so, there are several ways to manage the problem. Soak the area with water, after your dog urinates. Provide your dog with plenty of water, which dilutes the urine and prevents lawn burn. Plant resistant grasses in your yard, such as ryegrass and fescue. Pet Education.com states that Kentucky bluegrass and Bermuda are especially sensitive to lawn burn. Reduce drought stress by watering your lawn frequently.

Pest Treatments

• Common insects are often your lawn's enemies. One cause of brown patches in grass is lawn caterpillars. Lawn injury occurs when young larvae feed on the grass, causing patches of brown grass among green grass and the scalping of grass. Determining if insects or caterpillars are causing your lawn to look unhealthy is best accomplished by searching brown areas of grass for chewed leaves, webs, larvea, and frass or insect feces. According to the University of Florida, IFAS Extension keeping your lawn free of stress from drought is one way to prevent insect infestations. When properly irrigated, grass can recover more quickly. Fertilizing your lawn frequently, will increase the growth rate of grass and your chance of insect infestations. Applying chemicals to kill insects or pests, may be effective if applied when larvae are actively feeding.