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Please be sure to read the product label of any insecticide you choose to use to get information on the personal protective safety gear you will need. In most situations, it is recommended that you wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, closed toe shoes with socks, chemical resistant gloves, and goggles. In areas where ventilation is poor, a manufacturer may recommend you wear a mask or a respirator. We have put together two different safety kits that will make selecting the correct safety gear easier for you.

Pythium Blight

Pythium Blight Disease Identification Guide

By DoMyOwn staff
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Overview

Pythium Blight Is a Fungal Lawn Disease

Image pythium blight fungus discoloration on grass

Pythium blight, sometimes called grease spot or cottony blight, is a fungal lawn disease that can infect all types of turfgrasses, but does the most damage to cool-season turfs. This blight of spots on a lawn can be easily spread by people, equipment, or animals, or over short distances through water.

Affected areas on your lawn may not be obviously infected at first. Grassy areas infested by Pythium blight may only look to be darker shaded damp patches of turf. These damp patches often develop a greasy appearance as the infected blades of grass begin to lie flat and stick together.

Pythium Blight Appearance

close-up Image of Pythium blight discoloration and white fungal fuzz
Turfgrass leaves affected by Pythium blight will display an overall decline in health. Some of the specific symptoms you can watch for include:
  • Irregular patches or streaks on the lawn
  • Small areas of unhealthy turf may combine to cover a larger area
  • Dark, water-soaked lesions will appear on individual grass plants
  • Grass leaves will turn yellow, then turn light brown as they progress to death
  • Irregularly shaped dark greasy or slimy patches of matted grass may form, sometimes from 6 to 12 inches across
  • A whitish cottony growth may appear on the surface of grass suffering from blight when dew is present in the morning hours. These patches may resemble pink snow mold, but are a different disease that should be identified correctly for proper treatment. Treating for the wrong fungal disease can result in unwanted turf injury.

If you believe your lawn has Pythium blight, learn more about where to find it on your property in our Pythium Blight Inspection Guide. Select the right arrow button below to read more.

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