Have you noticed yellowish, splotchy patches on your lawn?  Dead spots streaking on the leaf blades?  Maybe an unhealthy yellowish- tinge, some dead turf or excessive weeds cropping in?  You may be experiencing the impacts of an outbreak of Lethal Viral Necrosis that is killing lawns throughout parts of Central and South Florida. The disease is a complex of two viruses. Unfortunately, there is no cure and lawns will eventually need to be resodded if they become infected.

According to the University of Florida/Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service Department, the virus was first confirmed in western Boynton Beach and Wellington in late 2014 and it is now throughout South Florida. There are no pesticides or fungicides effective against it. It is spread via infected grass sap on mowing and lawn equipment and by planting infested sod. Currently, there are suggested Best Management Practices for mowing and lawn maintenance companies to minimize the transfer of the virus. Equipment should be sprayed and allowed to dry with DuPont Virkon S at a 2% solution.

What to do if your grass is dying?

The City of Weston is currently replacing any dying Floratam St. Augustinegrass with Palmetto.  It has been demonstrated through the University of Florida research to be resistant to the virus. Also, CitraBlue is now recommended as a sod, with growing availability. The University of Florida just completed its evaluation of this grass and it was impressive:

1. Compared to Palmetto, CitraBlue has:
   
   
• Equal or better shade tolerance
• Better drought tolerance
• More resistant to disease
• Better color
• Caterpillar damage may be more rapid on CitraBlue – still learning

No grass is perfect. They all have issues.  Some are more susceptible to chinch bugs, others to fungal problems, but manageable. 

Why is this a big problem?

Lethal viral necrosis kills the Floratam variety of St. Augustinegrass in three or less years. The Floratam variety is one of the main varieties of grass in our area. 

Lawn areas can be completely resodded, or they can be 'plugged' with smaller pieces into existing lawns. 

Here is one fun fact:  Lawn dyes are also available. These provide a temporary greening for better visual appeal. 

Lots of Information below on the Lethal Viral Necrosis - Click on each to view or print.