If you have any questions regarding the results or recommendations, your county Extension agent can help you. They can cause substantial damage to turf plants by feeding on the roots, thus hampering or even destroying the plant s ability to absorb nutrients and water. Nematodes can also transmit or increase the susceptibility of most plants to diseases and viruses. As a result of the root damage, plants show symptoms of reduced growth, nutrient deficiency symptoms such as yellowing, and excessive wilting in hot or dry weather. Ultimately these areas may become dead patches of grass.
Damage often occurs in randomly spaced areas.
The only way to positively identify the type and extent of a suspected nematode problem is by soil sampling and a laboratory assay. Lawns may be sampled any time when they are actively growing. We recommend annual sampling for nematodes. Instructions for taking nematode samples and submitting them to the lab are found on the back of the Nematode Assay Information Form. These forms and sampling bags are available at your local Extension office.