A healthy, vigorously growing turfgrass is the best defense against weeds, insects, and diseases. Following irrigation, mowing, and fertility practices as outlined above will promote a healthy, dense turf and reduce the need for pest control measures. However, if a pest problem has been diagnosed, it should be promptly treated following recommendations from your local University of Florida Cooperative Extension office. Spot treatment of a pest problem is usually as effective as treating the whole lawn. Be particularly watchful for insects and diseases that attack turfgrass root systems.
Drought tolerance varies greatly with turfgrass species and cultivars.
Bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, bahiagrass, seashore paspalum, and centipedegrass have the best drought tolerance of the southern turfgrasses, followed by St. Augustinegrass and carpetgrass. Under severe drought conditions with no supplemental irrigation, turfgrasses will go dormant, cease to grow, and drop leaves. St. Augustinegrass and centipedegrass do not have rhizomes, which decreases their ability to recover from stresses such as drought. Deep root systems, which enhance recovery from drought, are found in bermudagrass, centipedegrass, and seashore paspalum. Choosing a grass to plant in Florida for drought tolerance is difficult, because each species has particular pest problems.