NCL Solutions

Bermuda Lawn Brown Spot Care.

Cause #2 Pest Infestations
White grubs, beetle larvae, feed on grass roots, causing irregular brown patches that are easily pulled up.

Chinch bugs cause irregular patches of yellowing or wilted grass, especially in sunny areas. Their presence can be confirmed by floating them to the surface.

Armyworms, destructive caterpillars, feed on grass blades, leaving chewed or notched appearances, sometimes with a “windowpane” effect. They can decimate large areas quickly.

Solution #2 Pests
For grubs, apply appropriate insecticides in late summer or early fall to disrupt their life cycle. Chinch bugs and armyworms may require specific insecticide applications, often best performed in early morning or late evening when pests are most active. Maintaining proper mowing height can also deter some insect infestations.

Bermuda Lawn Brown Spot Care
Do you hate those brown patches you get in your lawn?

Brown spots in Bermuda grass lawns are a frequent concern for homeowners, detracting from the turf’s uniform green appearance. These discolored areas can signal various underlying issues, including environmental stressors, pest activity, or disease. Understanding the specific cause of these brown patches is the first step toward effective treatment and restoring lawn.

Spots can result from various factors, each presenting with distinct symptoms that help in proper diagnosis. Understanding these indicators is essential for effective intervention.

Cause #1 Environmental Factors

Drought stress, often from underwatering, causes grass blades to curl and the lawn to appear dull bluish-gray or brown. Footprints remaining visible indicates insufficient moisture.

Conversely, overwatering can also cause brown spots by suffocating roots, leading to yellowing grass, soggy soil, and mold. Bermuda grass can suffer from heat stress during prolonged high temperatures, causing wilting and discoloration from blade tips downwards.

Additionally, compacted soil restricts oxygen flow to roots, hindering nutrient absorption and leading to weak turf that may brown.

Solution #1 Watering
If underwatering is the problem, deep and infrequent watering encourages deeper root growth, making the lawn more resilient. For overwatered areas, reduce irrigation frequency and allow the soil to dry out between waterings to restore root health and prevent fungal development. Improving drainage, potentially through aeration, can also alleviate excess moisture.

Stay tuned for more tips.....

Mosquito Management 101: What Does Not Work

Some commonly marketed solutions offer little real benefit:

Yard-wide spraying alone: Mosquitoes can quickly reinvade from surrounding areas.
Bug zappers: These are often used at night when mosquitos are not active and kill far more beneficial insects than mosquitoes.
Mosquito traps: Some actually attract more mosquitoes than they capture.
Citronella/citronella candles
“Repellent” plants: There is little scientific evidence that these reduce mosquito activity in the landscape.

Thanks for following along with Mosquito Management 101. Stay tuned for more helpful tips!

Mosquito Management 101: Larval Management

When standing water cannot be eliminated—such as in rain barrels —targeting larvae can help. Use mosquito dunks containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTi): These products specifically kill mosquito larvae without harming people, pets, fish, or beneficial insects like dragonflies.

Adult Mosquito Management: Use with Caution

Spraying pesticides to kill adult mosquitoes is often less effective than people expect and comes with trade-offs.

Pesticides that kill mosquitoes also kill beneficial insects, including pollinators. Take care to avoid spraying when flowers are in bloom, and check beforehand with neighbors who have beehives. Take care if edible fruits, vegetables or herbs are being grown nearby. Never spray on a windy day. Treating for Mosquitoes While Protecting Pollinators. Results are short-lived, as new mosquitoes quickly move in. Treatments can be costly and may harm beneficial insects, including pollinators and natural predators. Some products are toxic to aquatic life, so avoid applying near water. Repeated use can lead to pesticide resistance, making future control more difficult.

Before using any pesticide, always read and follow the label carefully. Remove pet items, toys, and food or water dishes from areas to be treated.

Mosquito Management 101: What Works

Prevention: Start with Habitat
The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to eliminate the places where they breed. Regularly empty or remove items that collect water, such as plant saucers, buckets, and tarps. Clear gutters and address low spots in the landscape where water pools.
Dump and refill birdbaths to interrupt mosquito development. Even small amounts of water can support mosquito larvae, so vigilance is key.

Create Physical Barriers
Keep window and door screens in good repair. Seal gaps around doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

Adjust Outdoor Conditions
Switch to yellow “bug” lights: These don’t repel mosquitoes but attract fewer of them than standard bulbs. Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so using fans to create air movement can significantly reduce their presence on patios and porches.

Protect Yourself
Wear long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are active.
Tuck clothing to minimize exposed skin. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent—products containing DEET remain among the most effective.

Interestingly, many mosquito species in North Carolina are most active during the day and at dusk, so evening outdoor time may be more comfortable.

Mosquito Management: A Great Neighborhood Project

Few things can spoil time in the garden faster than mosquitoes. Beyond being a nuisance, these biting insects can also spread disease, making their management an important part of creating a safe and enjoyable outdoor space.

In North Carolina alone, there are more than 60 species of mosquitoes, though any given county is likely to host about half that number. Their life cycles and breeding habits vary, but one thing is consistent: water is essential. Some species lay eggs directly in standing water, where they hatch within a day or two. Others deposit eggs in areas that will flood—these eggs can lie dormant for months, even years, waiting for the right conditions.

Once hatched, mosquito larvae develop quickly. Within 10 to 14 days, they emerge as adults, feeding first on nectar. Shortly thereafter, females seek a blood meal to produce eggs—while males, notably, feed only on nectar and do not bite.

Why Neighborhood Action Matters

While managing mosquitoes in your own yard is important, it’s rarely enough. Mosquitoes can travel surprising distances—from a few hundred yards to several miles—meaning they can easily move between properties. The most effective control strategy, therefore, is collective: when neighborhoods work together to eliminate breeding sites, mosquito populations drop significantly.

Stay tuned for more helpful tips on Mosquito Management 101...

Honeysuckle Azaleas: A sweet-smelling native shrub for every yard!

Deciduous azaleas are in the large genus Rhododendron, which also includes the non-native garden azaleas and the broadleaf, evergreen Rhododendrons of the mountains of NC!

Unlike their evergreen cousins, these shrubs drop their leaves in the winter. While they may look like "sticks" during the dormant season, this allows them to put on a spectacular, unobstructed floral show in the spring.

Don't forget their autumn show! Deciduous azaleas often turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, or deep burgundy before dropping their leaves.

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly is the primary hero for deciduous azaleas. Because of the long distance between the pollen and the nectar, smaller bees and butterflies often "miss" the reproductive parts. Swallowtails, however, constantly flap their wings while feeding; those wings act like brushes, transferring pollen from the anthers to the stigma. No flapping, no fruit!

Get One of These Beauties in Your Garden