Nobody wants to look out at the lawn and see stringy red threads. Unless Santa was visiting and got his suit snagged on a thorny shrub. Or Little Red Riding Hood stopped by to share her grandmother’s goodies and her cloak started to shed.
Other than that, red threads on your lawn mean a lawn fungus has moved in.
What causes red thread? How to treat red thread in lawns?
Let’s take a look.
What Causes Red Thread Lawn Disease?
Red thread fungus is a summer lawn disease that thrives in the high temperatures and high humidity of summer.
When conditions are right here in Wisconsin and Minnesota, red thread can strike fast.
And if your lawn has it, you’ll know it.
How to Identify Red Thread Fungus
What does red thread lawn disease look like? Three guesses. Actually, you only get one guess, because this is super easy.
Red thread sometimes looks like red threads in your lawn. You’ll see brown, pink, or red circular patches ranging in size from a few inches to two feet in diameter.
When these patches appear brown they are sometimes mistaken for dry spots, resulting in overwatering.
How to Treat Red Thread in Lawns
Treating lawn fungus like red thread can be expensive. It can cost several hundred dollars for an application of fungicide and typically takes more than one application.
The good news is, red thread fungus often clears up itself if you’re patient. And the grass typically comes back on its own after the fungus disappears.
There are a few things you can do to prevent red thread and other lawn diseases in your Wisconsin or Minnesota lawn in the first place.
Controlling Lawn Diseases Like Red Thread Fungus
Your best bet to control lawn fungus is to prevent it, with proper mowing, watering, and fertilizing.
A healthy lawn is better equipped for trauma like drought, insects, and summer lawn diseases.
Here are some tips:
- Fertilize your lawn well in the fall and spring so your lawn is healthy and has a better chance of surviving lawn diseases like red thread fungus.
- Aerate your lawn. You want to reduce compaction and improve your lawn’s drainage.
- Don’t water too often — you don’t want your lawn to be too wet.
- Keep your grass height between 3 and 4 inches and avoid mowing during wet weather.
- Water early in the day, so your lawn has time to fully dry before evening.
What If Red Thread Keeps Coming Back?
Red thread lawn disease can be persistent — especially if the underlying conditions that caused it stick around. If it’s showing up in your yard year after year, it might be time for a more proactive approach.
At RainMaster, we offer targeted lawn disease control treatments that can help stop red thread in its tracks. While it's usually a cosmetic issue that resolves over time, we know not everyone wants to wait it out and hope for the best — especially when brown or red patches are ruining your curb appeal.
Keep in mind, it may take multiple treatments and a bit of patience to see full recovery. But more importantly, we’ll help address the environmental stressors — like poor drainage, compacted soil, or low nutrient levels — that allowed red thread to thrive in the first place. Fix the conditions, and you give your lawn a better shot at resisting fungus for good.
Get Help with Red Thread Lawn Fungus in Eau Claire, WI and Minneapolis
Pesky lawn diseases like red thread fungus attack your lawn in summer — just when you want to enjoy your yard the most.
There you are, sizzling up some pineapple jalapeño burgers for the block party, and your neighbor wants to know who scattered a red sewing project all over your yard.
Help keep lawn fungus from creeping in by setting up your lawn for success, with lawn care services in Eau Claire, WI and Minneapolis that offer a proactive lawn care program that includes a custom nutrition plan and aeration for your lawn.
The roots will be nourished, the soil will be packed with nutrients and drain better, and your lawn will be thick and healthy, so lawn diseases will have a harder time taking hold.
Also, consider a regular irrigation maintenance program, to make sure your sprinkler system delivers the right amount of water at the right time so you're not encouraging lawn diseases.
Ready for a lawn care program to fake out the fungus? Request a quote today! We’ll review your lawn care options together so you can make a great choice. Then, you can finally enjoy your lawn and stop worrying about it.
