10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Red Thread Lawn Disease

Have you noticed thin, needle-like red strands on your lawn when wet? If so, you’ve probably got red thread lawn disease.

Don’t worry, though; it’s treatable. There are natural ways to get rid of this fungal disease without resorting to harsh chemicals.

Identification

This lawn disease, caused by the fungus Laetisaria fuciformis [1], looks like pinkish or red threads throughout your grass.

The fungus spreads during wet, humid weather and attacks stressed lawns and grass. You’ll first notice thin, cobweb-like patches of red threads, usually after rain or heavy dew.

How to Get Rid of Red Thread Lawn Disease Naturally

Below are some natural ways to stop red thread disease before severe damage occurs.

1. Avoid Walking On Grass

To avoid spreading red thread disease on your lawn, staying off the grass is best.

Even more so, if red thread disease has already started appearing, avoid walking on the affected areas of grass as much as possible.

By staying off affected grass areas and providing barriers in areas of frequent foot traffic, you can help prevent and control the spread of red thread disease in your lawn.

2. Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can help treat lawn fungi.

Therefore, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz the mixture directly onto the area where the fungus is and the surrounding soil.

The acetic acid in vinegar helps kill the fungal spores responsible for red thread grass disease. However, be sure only to use it on the affected spots, as it can also kill the healthy grass it touches.

3. Increase Sunlight and Air Movement

To help prevent lawn diseases, make every effort to get more sunlight and air circulation to your grass. Red thread and other fungal diseases thrive in damp, shady areas.

Provide your lawn with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. Also, trim back any trees or shrubs that are shading the area.

Good air circulation and limited moisture on grass blades discourage fungal growth and spread.

4. Avoid Overly Wet Grass

To control red thread, avoid keeping your lawn overly wet. Excess moisture promotes the growth of the fungus responsible for the red thread on grass.

Therefore, allow your grass blades to dry out between waterings, and never leave standing puddles of water on the lawn.

When you irrigate, do so in the early morning to give the grass blades time to dry during the day.

5. Baking Soda

This is a widely used, inexpensive product with fungicidal properties. It can help fix the red thread and other lawn fungal problems.

Mix about one tablespoon of baking soda and one gallon of water to make a homemade red thread fungicide. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution to the infected areas of your lawn.

The baking soda will make the environment less favorable for the fungal disease.

6. Apply Lime to the Lawn

To raise the pH level of your lawn and create an alkaline soil environment unfriendly to this disease, apply agricultural limestone.

Once the lime has been applied, water your lawn thoroughly to help it dissolve into the soil.

This method can greatly improve your lawn’s health and help prevent red thread turf disease without using fungicides.

7. Dethatch the Lawn

This process removes the layer of dead plant material between the grass blades and the soil. This undoubtedly sends more water, air, and nutrients to the grass roots.

In essence, dethatching allows your grass to breathe and thrive. It also reduces disease by increasing airflow and sunlight exposure.

8. Aerate Compacted Soil

This is another practical process, as it will help relieve soil compaction and send more water, oxygen, and nutrients to the grass roots. Compacted soil prevents healthy root growth and promotes disease.

You can use a garden fork or aerator shoes with spikes for DIY lawn aeration without renting equipment.

9. Remove Excessive Thatch

Thatch is the layer of dead grass clippings, roots, and stems that build up between the grass blades and the soil.

Too much thatch prevents water and air from reaching the grass roots and soil [2]. It also creates the perfect environment for disease and pests to thrive.

Therefore, remove excess thatch. This will instantly improve the health of your lawn and reduce disease problems like red thread.

10. Mow Lawn the Right Way

Mowing your lawn regularly and at the proper height is key to preventing this and other lawn diseases.

Cut it to a height of 2 to 3 inches. The grass becomes stressed any shorter, making it more susceptible to disease.

Taller grass has a larger leaf surface, allowing it to absorb more sunlight and produce more food for the plant. Mowing too short, known as “scalping,” removes much of the leaf surface, weakening the grass.

For the healthiest lawn, never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.

Takeaway

So there you have a few easy and natural ways to control red thread disease and have your lawn looking lush again. Give these remedies a shot, and be patient as your grass recovers.

Picture via Flickr