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What is killing my grass? #867240

Asked May 06, 2024, 1:03 PM EDT

This is a picture of my front lawn. There is a large patch of dead grass that extends into my neighbors front lawn also.

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Kim,

Thank you for the question.

Has this happened before?   Could there have been any exposure to road salt or herbicides?  I have seen weed and feed products do this to "grass" as it is killing weeds.

I would suggest getting a soil test done to see if amendments to the soil in that area would help.  Here is a link: https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden


Please reach out if you have any further questions, especially after soil test results come back.


An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 07, 2024, 5:02 PM EDT
No it’s not from either of those things. In researching it myself I think it may be grubs? This patch was green last fall and there’s a sidewalk and boulevard between this patch and the street and given our warm winter we never used salt on the sidewalk. Also neither my neighbor or I use chemicals on our grass. Thanks for your reply.
Sent from my iPhone

On May 7, 2024, at 16:02, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied May 08, 2024, 10:37 AM EDT


I have gotten lots of questions this week about grubs.  Here are some thoughts on treating them.

Since grubs are most active in the middle to late summer, it's advisable to control them at this time. You can start by scouting for grubs in your lawn by cutting a few square-foot samples of the turf, examining the soil for grubs, and replacing the sod after.

If you find an average of three to five grubs per square foot, treatment is recommended. It's important to water the lawn thoroughly before applying any insecticide to bring the grubs closer to the soil surface. After application, water the area again to help the chemical reach the grubs.

For controlling grubs, you can use a long-lasting insecticide like imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole, which are effective against grubs. Ensure that you follow the label directions and use the products only on the recommended plants.


https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/japanese-beetles

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/JBhandbook.pdf

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 08, 2024, 10:43 AM EDT

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