Red Thread Disease

Red thread disease is usually seen on lawn turf during the summer and autumn months, although the disease may persist into the winter months if conditions remain mild.

Red thread disease appears as patches of damaged grass which often have a pink or red appearance. This is due to the presence of red "needles" which protrude from the diseased leaves.

The needles may be straight or branched, brittle and up to 25mm long. The size and shape of infected patches vary from 20-50mm up to 0.35m in diameter.

Unless the grass growth is poor and the attack serious, the damage is superficial.

The fungus causing the red thread disease is favoured by mild temperatures (20C) and a damp lawn turf surface.

Because red thread disease only attacks the leaves, it is generally controllable using the following guidelines:

• Fertilise your lawn turf properly.
• Water your lawn turf properly, but do not over water.
• Mow your grass properly.
• Use a suitable fungicide.

Red thread disease develops in lawn turf that is poor in quality or generally receiving too little fertiliser.

Manage your turf properly, and red thread disease will not be a common problem for you.