The Greener Guide to Bare Spots: What’s Really Going on with Your Lawn?

Q: “My lawn looked great in May, but now I’m noticing weird spots, patches, and discolored grass. Is this some kind of fungus? What should I do?”

You’re not alone—we’re hearing this question a lot right now! The combination of steady rain and warming temps this spring has created prime conditions for turf diseases and other stressors to show up across our region. But not every bare spot or patchy section is caused by the same issue. In fact, the culprit is often a surprising one.

Let’s dig in.

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Here are some of the usual suspects we’re seeing this time of year:

• Dollar Spot – Small, straw-colored circles about the size of a silver dollar that can merge into larger patches if untreated.
• Red Thread – Thin, reddish-pink strands growing from the tips of grass blades, especially in underfed or stressed lawns.
• Leaf Spot / Melting Out – Begins as purple or brown flecks on grass blades that eventually lead to thinning turf.
• Brown Patch – Fast-spreading patches of tan or brown grass, often with a darker outer edge. Loves warm, humid nights.
• Rust – Orange or yellow powder that rubs off on shoes and mower blades. Messy but usually cosmetic.
• Pythium Blight – Greasy or matted grass with a slimy appearance, often mistaken for overwatering damage.
• Powdery Mildew – A white or grayish coating on grass blades, especially in shaded areas with limited airflow.

Some turf diseases clear up on their own, while others need quick treatment to prevent spreading. If you’re unsure what’s affecting your lawn, now is the time to bring in an expert for a closer look and custom treatment plan.  Be Green Pro now also offers an all natural product for fungal mediation as well as traditional preventative and curative solutions.

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Insects are another common source of mid-season lawn damage:

• Grubs – Beetle larvae that feed on grass roots, causing large dead patches. Turf may feel spongy or peel up like a rug.
• Chinch Bugs – Tiny pests that suck the moisture from grass blades, leaving dry, yellow patches. Often mistaken for drought.
• Sod Webworms – These larvae chew grass blades at the crown. Damage appears as small brown patches with a slightly chewed look.

Insect damage can look nearly identical to fungal disease or environmental stress, so correct ID is essential. Be Green Pro offers natural and effective treatments to target these pests without harming beneficial insects or pollinators.

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While many lawn care companies still use unstabilized high nitrogen content synthetic fertilizers that can scorch lawns during hot or dry spells, Be Green Pro uses our own formulations of stabilized slow-release, organic-based fertilizers—which makes burn nearly impossible unless there's a concentrated spill.

That said, we’ve seen other sources of chemical damage:

• Overuse of weed and feed products by homeowners or hired professionals
• Repeated spraying of aerosol insect repellent or sunscreen in one area of the lawn
• DIY spills of gasoline or cleaning products

If damage consistently appears in the same spot, think about what’s regularly happening in that area.

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• Dog urine can cause concentrated nitrogen burns, resulting in small yellow or brown patches, often surrounded by a green ring.
• Winter salt tracked from sidewalks or driveways can linger in soil and cause spring damage to nearby turf.
• Lawns on sunny hillsides or in areas exposed to strong reflected heat (e.g., light posts, metal fences, flagpoles) may dry out or burn faster than surrounding areas.

Be Green Pro offers targeted soil amendment services and custom fertilization plans to repair and rebalance these sensitive spots.

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One of the sneakiest causes of turf damage? Stuff left sitting on your lawn.

• Lawn clippings or haystack piles after a delayed mow can smother grass and block sunlight.
• A hose left out for too long creates yellow streaks or lines.
• A tarp or kiddie pool left in place deprives the lawn of air, light, and water—leading to suffocation and dead patches.
• Even tree branches, toys, or leaf piles can create similar damage.

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Even the best mower can cause turf trouble if you:

• Mow when the soil is soft which can leave rut marks
• Turn wheels too sharply in the same place
• Mow when it’s too wet or set the blades too low, or mow with dull blades

Try varying your mowing direction, sharpen your blades, and avoid mowing when the ground is saturated. If you’ve paused mowing for a while, raise the deck height to avoid suffocating clippings.

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• Areas beneath dense trees or behind structures often stay cooler and wetter, which may encourage mildew and inhibit growth.
• Heavy shade also means less photosynthesis, so grass becomes thinner and more prone to disease and stress.

Our team can help select the right grass blend or groundcover for those challenging areas—including natural mulch zones or native shade plantings.

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If your lawn was thriving and suddenly turns patchy, don’t panic—there’s always a reason, and Be Green Pro can help uncover it. Whether it’s disease, insects, stress, or something unexpected, we’ll provide an honest, professional diagnosis and create a custom solution.

And if it is fungus? Be Green Pro now offers a new all-natural fungicide that’s powerful, environmentally safe, and specially designed for Wisconsin lawns. No harsh chemicals. No guesswork. Just smart care that supports a greener, healthier lawn.

🔎 [Contact us today to schedule a lawn evaluation.]