Lawn Rust Treatment

A healthy lawn will not have any rust-colored fungus.

Lawn rust is a yellow, brown or orange powder that appears on the tips of blades of grass. It has a similar appearance to rust that forms on metal. Rubbing the grass with a hand or a tissue will cause the rust spores to rub off. This is a simple way to identify if the discoloration is lawn rust. Lawn rust is a type of fungus.

Prevention

Aerating the lawn is one of the best ways to prevent lawn rust. An aerated lawn is less likely to grow fungus. Mowing more often and not allowing the grass clippings to remain on the lawn will also help. Cut grass left on the lawn gives the fungus an easier habitat in which to develop. Watering the lawn in the early morning helps reduce the likelihood of lawn rust forming. The faster the wet grass can dry, the less time there will be for a fungus to grow.

Controlling Spread

Lawn rust can often be treated without the use of fungicides. Stopping it from spreading is the first step. Wash shoes and lawnmower wheels off with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water if any lawn rust is present. Don't allow pets to run through the affected area, because they will track the fungus to other parts of the lawn.

Control With Watering

Water the lawn less often in the spots where the lawn rust is forming. The lawn rust fungus feeds off excess moisture. Watering early in the day allows the water to evaporate more quickly, reducing the ability of lawn rust to grow. Water less frequently if you have problems with lawn rust forming. Fungus has a hard time growing in a dry environment.

Fertilizer

Lawn rust can sometimes be attributed to a nitrogen deficiency in the lawn. Use a slow-release lawn fertilizer to restore the amount of nitrogen the lawn needs to be healthy. Be careful not to over fertilize your lawn, but keeping it fertilized will help it grow faster. If the grass grows faster, it can be mowed more often. Faster growing grass needs to be mowed more frequently, ensuring infected blades of grass are removed more often.

Fungicides

For more serious cases of lawn rust fungus, fungicides can be used. Fungicides that are commonly used for lawn rust are Anilazine and Triadimefon. Other fungicides that are used to treat lawn rust are Bayleton and Daconil. The fungicide will help prevent the lawn disease from spreading further. When using fungicides, apply once every one to two weeks until the lawn rust begins to recede. If the temperature drops below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, fungicide will no longer be necessary, because the cold temperature will stop the lawn rust from spreading.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Rust Turns Lawns Orange
• American-Lawns.com: Lawn diseases are a good indication a landscape might be out of balance
• The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company: Rust in the lawn