[royr]

I have a 6 yr old lawn of St Augustine that is dying in patches. I have raked the dead areas thinking it was thatch. I have fertilized, and watered. It is still spreading around my lawn. Some areas are fine, but some are dying. They all get the same sun and water.
Has anyone had this problem and found the answer? See pictures.
Thanks

[gomoho]

Might be mole crickets.

[bkcunningham1]

My guess would be chinch bugs. ENY-325/LH036: Southern Chinch Bug Management on St. Augustinegrass

Give the Sumter County Extension Agency a telephone call and see if they can help you. Sumter County Extension Office ? Solutions for Your Life - UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

[bkcunningham1]

Detecting Infestations, from my above link.
Damage may occur in open, sunny areas near sidewalks and driveways, but also in the middle of lawns. Infested plants have slower growth, turn yellow, then rusty reddish-brown, and die. The damage is often confused with drought or frost stress. New damage may appear by May or June, depending on spring temperatures, and any damage that existed in late fall will become apparent in the spring. Other factors, such as disease, nematodes, nutritional imbalances, and drought can cause off-color areas to occur in lawns. Thus, the grass should be carefully examined to determine which corrective measures may be needed. Especially in areas where pesticide resistance is suspected, monitor before and after any treatments to determine if control has been achieved.

Several methods can be used to find southern chinch bugs. The easiest and fastest is to part the grass near yellowed areas and look at the soil surface and thatch. Pull out individual grass plants and look inside the bottom leaf sheath. Examine several different areas if chinch bugs aren't immediately found. Insects are most active on warm, sunny days in mid-afternoon.

Another option is to use a Dust Buster or hand-held vacuum cleaner (electric or battery-operated) to suck up any chinch bugs near damaged areas. Remove the filter, empty the contents on the sidewalk or in a bucket, and look for nymphs and adults. Repeat in several damaged areas.

A flotation technique can also be used to detect infestations. Cut both ends out of a metal can and push one end 2-3 inches into the soil on green or yellowing grass (not dead grass). Slowly fill with water and count the number of chinch bugs that float to the top within 5 minutes. Keep the water level above the grass surface. If nothing emerges in the first area, examine at least 3 or 4 other areas.

[thirtyoughtsix]

I am having the same problem. 2 weeks ago my lawn was as green and lush as it ever has been in the 10 years I have lived here. I brought in 3 lawn and irrigation guys and the am told it is "fungus". I am having the lawn sprayed for fungus this coming week and am hoping that solves the problem.

[skip0358]

Looks like mole crickets to me. I lost 1000 sq. feet of my lawn 2 years ago.

[Villages PL]

I would guess chinch bugs too. I was told that the more you fertilize your lawn, the more they like it. If one is not careful, yards can eat up a lot of money. Luckily, I haven't been bothered by any pests for years since 1) I have a new type of grass in my front yard and 2) I don't worry about fertilizing.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I would guess chinch bugs too. I was told that the more you fertilize your lawn, the more they like it. If one is not careful, yards can eat up a lot of money. Luckily, I haven't been bothered by any pests for years since 1) I have a new type of grass in my front yard and 2) I don't worry about fertilizing.

What is the grass?

[asianthree]

have the same problem behind my house just dead...

[kb8tpw]

You better get your lawn service guys on the job - quick ! Sounds like fungus to me, mine was drug in by the mowers doing my yard. My provider has just finished a second fungicide treatment, and green slowly coming back., The lawn mowing folks I hired to replace the nim-wits that caused the problem said it would probably take nearly a year to come back like it was early in the spring. Look around - it is fairly widespread..................... Seems to be a non-respecter of good or mediocre yards.

[angiefox10]

Doing a google search I found this....

http://collier.ifas.ufl.edu/CommHort...BrownPatch.pdf

I think it might help.

[DonH57]

I have the same problem in our lawn as well. Three weeks ago it was lush and green.