- What is centipedegrass<\/a><\/li>
- What pests are most common in centipedegrass?<\/a>
- Grub worms<\/a><\/li>
- Nematodes<\/a><\/li>
- Mole crickets<\/a><\/li>
- Spittlebugs<\/a><\/li>
- Ground pearls<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- FAQ about centipedegrass pests<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What is centipedegrass<\/span><\/h2>
Centipedegrass is a warm-season turf grass that tolerates high heat. Unlike Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass, centipedegrass is sensitive to cold, however.<\/p>
Centipedegrass is most productive during the summer to late spring and does well in acidic soils.<\/p>
It is most common in the Southeastern United States, from the Carolinas across the southern coastal plain to the Texas Gulf coast.<\/p>
Characteristics of centipedegrass<\/span><\/h3>
- Strong heat tolerance<\/li>
- Requires little maintenance<\/li>
- Is sensitive to cold and alkaline conditions<\/li>
- Has relatively shallow roots<\/li>
- Doesn\u2019t tolerate foot traffic well<\/li>
- Requires minimal fertilization<\/li>
- Grows slowly<\/li>
- Low shade tolerance<\/li>
- Can be established from seeds or sod<\/li> <\/ul>
What pests are most common in centipedegrass?<\/span><\/h2>
Grub worms<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Grub](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Grub-worms-1.jpg\")
Harvey Boyd<\/a> | Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure> White grubs are soil-dwelling larvae of various scarab beetle species. They are grayish-white with brownish heads. White grubs form a C shape when resting.<\/p>
The grub worm larvae lay eggs during summer that hatch and start feeding on grass roots. During winter, they descend into the soil to avoid freezing and return to feed on grass roots as spring approaches.<\/p>
The larvae attack turf by feeding on the fibrous roots of centipedegrass and disrupting water flow. The affected area of the lawn grows brown spots, and when pulled, the grass separates easily, exposing soil.<\/p>
Symptoms<\/strong><\/p>
- Spongy soil underneath the turf<\/li>
- Brown or yellow patches on the lawn<\/li>
- Mounds of spoil on the lawn<\/li>
- Turf wilting<\/li> <\/ul>
Prevention and treatment<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>
For a detailed explanation of how to eliminate these root munchers from your lawn, visit Lawn Love\u2019s guide to getting rid of grubs<\/a>.<\/p>
- Use chemicals such as carbaryl and trichlorfon to reduce the grub worms.<\/li>
- A healthy lawn will recover from grub damage when the grub matures, so it\u2019s important to follow sound lawn maintenance practices.<\/li> <\/ul>
Nematodes<\/span><\/h3>
![\"nematodes](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/200926410_f5ba8779c3_c-1.jpg\")
nematodes | snickclunk<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure> Some nematodes are used as an organic control for pests; others are actually harmful to turf grass. The bad ones attack the tissues of centipedegrass, making it difficult to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.<\/p>
Nematodes are microscopic and thus basically invisible. Observe for signs of nematode damage in your lawn, or take a soil sample to your local Extension Service for laboratory analysis.<\/p>
Symptoms<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>
- Wilting grass<\/li>
- Stunted growth that does not respond to watering or fertilizer<\/li>
- Swollen roots<\/li>
- Thinning grass<\/li>
- Emergence of weeds<\/li> <\/ul>
Prevention and treatment<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>
- Don\u2019t apply excess nitrogen to your lawn.<\/li>
- Avoid moving infected sod to other parts of the yard.<\/li>
- Ensure you purchase sod from reliable nurseries to avoid transporting nematodes to your yard.<\/li>
- Maintain a healthy lawn to sustain nematode infestations.<\/li>
- Use chemicals such as Nordica, Nimitz Pro G, and Indemnify to treat nematodes.<\/li>
- Use herbicides for weed control.<\/li> <\/ul>
Mole crickets<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Mole](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Mole-crickets-1.jpg\")
Hans \/ 20749 images<\/a> | pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Mole crickets are another type of pest common with centipedegrass. They damage the warm-season turf grasses and are most common in Southern United States homes and commercial lawns.<\/p>
Mole crickets exist in three varieties, i.e., the Northern mole cricket, the Southern mole cricket, which is less destructive, and the tawny mole cricket, which is the most dangerous. They damage the root systems of centipedegrass, cutting off the water supply and nutrients. Mole crickets<\/a> have cylindrical bodies with small eyes and shovel-like forelimbs. They burrow into the ground, thus uprooting seedlings. Can\u2019t see them? Pour soapy water on your lawn to force them to the surface.<\/p>
Symptoms<\/strong><\/p>
- Brown patches with jagged grass edges <\/li>
- Burrow mounds on the centipedegrass lawn<\/li>
- Pockets of loose soil<\/li> <\/ul>
Prevention and treatment<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>
- Mow the lawn for easier penetration of pesticides.<\/li>
- Remove excess thatch that harbors mole crickets<\/li>
- Spray insecticides following the manuals.<\/li> <\/ul>
Chinch bugs<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Chinch](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Chinch-bugs-1.jpg\")
Photo by PxHere<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Chinch bugs are most common with warm-season grasses in Southern states like Texas and Florida. Adult chinch bugs are black with white wings and an hourglass-shaped design on the back. The nymph chinch bugs are red with a pale white band.<\/p>
They damage centipedegrass by sucking the sap and injecting their saliva into the grass tissues. The saliva has toxins that prevent water movement through the grass. Their damage can be easily confused with other grass diseases because of the large patches that appear on the lawn. Chinch bug infestations occur when thick thatch is exposed to full sun during hot, dry periods. Their damage is more prevalent from early June to August when they feed actively. When disturbed, these bugs hide in the soil.<\/p>
Symptoms<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>
- Stunted grass with a yellow halo<\/li>
- Irregular patches of grass on the lawn<\/li>
- Circular or semi-circular brown spots<\/li> <\/ul>
Prevention and treatment<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>
- Use a vertical mower to reduce excess thatch.<\/li>
- Apply mulch or recycle grass clippings to reduce the application of fertilizer.<\/li>
- Aerate to reduce soil compaction.<\/li>
- Apply a thin layer of soil to increase microbial activities, thus decomposing thatch on the lawn.<\/li>
- Use insecticides containing carbaryl or pyrethroid.<\/li>
- Avoid over-fertilization.<\/li> <\/ul>
Spittlebugs<\/span><\/h3>
![\"spittlebug](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Spittlebug-2.jpg\")
ePhotocorp<\/a> | iStock<\/figcaption><\/figure> As the name suggests, spittlebugs secrete a frothy mass of spit in which they hide. Adult spittlebugs are black with red eyes and legs. They have two orange stripes across their wings, while nymph bugs are yellow or creamy with brown heads.<\/p>
Spittlebugs damage centipedegrass by sucking the moisture from the grass. They are generally not harmful, although they become problematic if they infest a lawn in large numbers.<\/p>
Symptoms<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>
- Stunted grass growth<\/li>
- Wilting grass<\/li>
- Brown patches of dead grass<\/li> <\/ul>
Prevention and treatment<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>
- Mow to a height of one and a half inches.<\/li>
- Water deeply but less frequently.<\/li>
- Apply common pesticides.<\/li>
- When using insecticides, mow and irrigate the lawn 24 hours before applying.<\/li> <\/ul>
Ground pearls<\/span><\/h3>![\"Ground](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/rsz_ground_pearls-castner-1024x688.jpg\")
James Castner | University of Florida Entomology & Nematology Department<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Ground pearls are another pest problem common with centipedegrass. They are active during early summer and late spring. These pests have small pearl-like bodies and live below the soil surface, where they hide.<\/p>
Ground pearls damage centipedegrass by extracting juice from the roots. The affected lawn develops yellow patches that eventually turn brown and die, leaving areas resembling dollar spot.<\/p>
Symptoms<\/strong><\/p>
- Circular dead regions resembling fairy rings<\/li>
- Brown patches on the lawn during fall<\/li> <\/ul>
Prevention and treatment<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>
- Nematodes<\/a><\/li>
- What pests are most common in centipedegrass?<\/a>