Common Utah Lawn Problems

Diseases

• Utah lawns are susceptible to a number of spring diseases, including "melting out" -- a fungal disease caused by the Helminthosporium-like fungi and characterized by tan-colored, purple- to brown-bordered spots on grass. Summer brings a new set of potential diseases including necrotic ringspot. Caused by Ophiosphaerella korrae fungus, this disease causes large circles or arcs of dead grass ranging in diameter from a few inches to several feet.

Pests

• Common lawn pests in Utah include cranberry girdlers and white grubs. Cranberry girdlers are low flying half-moths featuring ¾-inch-long, gray larva with orange brown heads. The larvae feed on roots and grass crowns. White grubs are the larval stage of scarab beetles. The pests feed on grass roots, causing grass to wilt and die.

Weeds

• Left uncontrolled, weeds can take over large areas of Utah lawns rapidly, and are often breeding grounds for damaging pests. Common Utah lawn weeds include annual bluegrass, barnyard grass, bentgrass, black medic, chickweed and dandelion.