During our hot and humid Ohio summers, our lawns are likely to face some challenges. While we may be quick to assume that brown grass just needs more water, that isn’t always the case. In fact, depending on the root cause, those well-intentioned but misguided solutions may exacerbate the problem even further.

Let’s look at two of the most common lawn diseases in our area as a case in point: dollar spot and brown patch. Both are fungal infections that cause grass to turn brown or tan and tend to occur in the summer. But there are some key differences.

Dollar spot tends to occur when the soil is too dry and grass blades stay wet for an extended period, whether from rain, dew or a sprinkler. While watering can be helpful in preventing dollar spot, limiting it to the morning will allow plenty of time during the hot part of the day for excess water to dry. Ensuring that your grass is getting enough water to its roots and the proper amount of nitrogen can both fend off dollar spot and minimize damage if it does take hold.

Brown patch on the other hand tends to occur during hot, humid periods when the soil is too wet. For this reason, brown patch calls for little or no watering. While brown patch is like dollar spot in that wet foliage should be avoided, adding nitrogen to a yard affected by brown patch can actually spur on growth of the fungus and worsen an infection.

But sometimes those brown patches aren’t caused by lack of water or disease. Damage from lawn pests can also be tricky to diagnose, but correct identification is key to successfully managing an infestation. Taking note of when in the season the damage begins to show, how quickly it affects your grass, and the nature of the damage itself can all help narrow down the culprit.

There are many possibilities, but especially in mid-to-late summer two of the most common lawn pests in the Cleveland area are white grubs and chinch bugs. While each feed on a different part of the plant, overall damage can look similar: irregular patches of brown dead or dying grass. So how can we differentiate?

White grubs tend to start feeding in late August and damage can occur rapidly. A tell-tale sign of grub activity occurs when affected grass can be lifted all at once from the soil, much like a carpet. Because grubs feed on the roots of grass, the affected blades are easily detached from the soil. And since these grubs are off-white in color and about an inch long, you’re likely to quickly spot them underneath in their distinctive c-shaped curve.

Chinch bugs are typically active throughout the summer, from June to September. Chinch bugs pierce grass blades to suck sap from them, leaving behind a substance that prevents the plant from moving water from roots to blade. The result is dehydrated grass that withers and dies quickly. This can look like damage from grubs but will leave the affected grass blades rooted.

These are just a sampling of some of the possible reasons your lawn may start to brown this summer. Whatever the case, identifying the cause is key to successfully mitigating any damage. The resources below can be helpful in recognizing the four most common causes discussed in this article. But if you’re still not sure, or you just want an expert’s eyes on it, contact your local lawncare professionals to get some clarity, along with treatment options and recommended next steps.