Fungus gnats and other pests commonly afflict centipede grass. Some people spray their plants with insecticide and hope that it will destroy the pests, but this can harm the plant as well. You are better off treating your centipede grass with a fungicide instead.
About Centipede Grass
Centipede grass is a warm-season perennial grass that can be grown in full sun, partial shade or even full shade. It’s considered a deep-rooted turfgrass and has been used for over 80 years as an important landscaping plant across the southern United States. Centipede grass is very drought tolerant, making it suitable for areas with poor soil drainage or low rainfall amounts.
Centipede grass is a good choice for people who want to reduce their maintenance. It is naturally resistant to insects and diseases, which makes it relatively low-maintenance compared to other turfgrass species. Centipede also does not require as much watering as some varieties of grass and can withstand drought conditions better than other types of lawns.
Centipede lawns are a great option for southern climates where hot temperatures, frequent rainfall, and high humidity can be challenging for many plants. They also go well with certain types of homes in the south because they are more heat-tolerant than some other green space options such as oak trees or pine trees that lose their leaves during the winter months (fall).
Fungal Diseases of Centipede Grass
Centipede is not completely free from threats. It is susceptible to fungal diseases, which can be devastating for the health of your lawn. Fungal diseases are commonly found in centipede grass and affect its appearance and growth. Fungi can infect the plant in many ways, including through wounds caused by insects, physical damage or insect damage.
The fungi enter through small openings in the leaf tissue and begin to grow inside of the plant. Fungal diseases are common in centipede grass, and these infections can affect the plant’s growth and appearance by making it sickly or weak.
The first sign that your centipede grass has been infected with fungus is brown rings around the base of each leaf blade on your plant’s stem. These brown rings indicate that a fungal infection has occurred within those particular leaves and they will begin to die within a week if left untreated by fungicide spray or another treatment method used by professional landscapers when dealing with this type of problem on their own lawn
There are many different types of fungi that can infect centipede grass, including bluegrass anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola), which causes brown patches on leaves; leaf spot caused by Phaeosphaeria korrae; powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera xanthii; root rot due to Rhizoctonia solani; and rust caused by Puccinia punctiformis f. sp. centipedis (Pp).
The most common fungal diseases in Centipede grass include:
- Leaf spots – These spots appear as dark patches on the upper surface of leaves that have a yellow halo around them; they are often accompanied by browning edges around each spot
- Leaf scorch – This is characterized by yellowing of leaves without any other symptoms
Also, Centipede grass has several natural predators that help keep its numbers under control including moles, voles and gophers—so don’t feel bad if you accidentally kill some off in your efforts to eradicate them from your yard.
Top Fungicides for Centipede grass
Fertilome Triple Action
Price: $30.00
Features:
- Can be used as an insecticide, miticide and fungicide providing complete protection of your plants.
- The pesticide spray is ideal for fruits, herbs, nuts, spices, vegetables, roses, flowers and shrubs.
- Controls Aphids, Spider Mites, Leafminers, Leafrollers, Armyworms and more. See label for full list.
- Prevents and protects against Powdery Mildew, Rust, Leaf Spot and more. See label for full list.
- For best results reapply on a 7-14 day schedule. See label for application rates and instructions.
Prime Source Duo Stick
Price: $26.99
Features:
- Increased efficacy of most pesticide applications
- Increased penetration of herbicides and fungicides
- Increased nutrient availability at the roots
- Increases the speed in which actives are available for uptake
Pure Neem Oil Fungicide for Plants
Price: $59.00
Feature:
- All Neem Bliss is heavily concentrated and made with zero additives, making it easy to reuse on farms, lawns, and indoor and outdoor gardens! The main active ingredient in Neem Bliss is azadirachtin, allowing it to be highly soluble and ideal for topical applications.
- Our Neem Oil is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as a certified organic product! Regular foliar application of Plantonix Neem Bliss will ensure your plants remain healthy from seed to harvest!
- Neem oil is rich in vitamins and fatty acids that reduce dry skin, redness, and itchiness. Mixing neem oil with shampoos and lotions can help get rid of flakiness and discomfort while locking in moisture. As an essential oil, neem is a natural way of nourishing healthy hair and nail growth!