We mow and maintain hundreds of lawns from Pakenham to Keysborough every single week. These are the same five problems we get called out for over and over again — and exactly how we fix them for our clients (often the same day).
1. Army Worms & Lawn Grubs (The #1 Summer Killer)
Where you’ll see it most: New estates in Officer, Clyde, Cardinia, Pakenham (especially new Sir Walter or TifTuf)
Symptoms: Sudden brown patches that spread overnight, little green pellets (frass), moths flying up when you walk on the lawn.
Fix in 48 hours:
→ Spray Acepryn or Yates Grub Kill + Grub Guard late afternoon.
→ Water it in lightly.
→ 90 % of the time the lawn fully recovers in 10–14 days.
2. Dollar Spot Fungus (Looks Like Someone Spilled Bleach)
Most common: Older Buffalo lawns in Cranbourne, Hampton Park, Lynbrook and Narre Warren.
Triggers: Night watering + high humidity + low nitrogen.
Fast fix:
→ Apply a quality nitrogen-rich fertiliser (e.g. Buffalo PRO).
→ Water only in the early morning.
→ One application of Heritage MAXX or Mancozeb clears it in 7–10 days.
3. Brown Patch / Rhizoctonia (Big Brown Rings or Patches)
Hot spots: Kikuyu and Couch lawns in Berwick, Beaconsfield, Narre Warren South.
Usually caused by: Over-watering + poor drainage + warm nights.
Fix:
→ Stop watering for 5–7 days (let it dry out).
→ Apply Heritage MAXX or Bayfidan fungicide.
→ Core aeration in autumn to prevent it coming back.
4. Dry Patch / Hydrophobic Soil (Water Just Runs Off)
Everywhere in new estates: Officer, Clyde, Botanic Ridge, Cranbourne West, Pakenham’s Lakeside.
Symptoms: Water beads and runs away, brown patches even when you water.
Permanent fix:
→ Apply a granular or liquid wetting agent (SaturAid, Lawn Soaker, Penterra) every 6–8 weeks in summer.
→ Most of our regular clients never see dry patch again after the first two applications.
5. Couch Grass & Kikuyu Invasion into Buffalo Lawns
Common in: Berwick, Narre Warren, Hallam, Dandenong, Hampton Park.
Why it happens: Couch and Kikuyu are super aggressive runners; one tiny piece left after edging spreads fast.
Control (not eradication — be realistic):
→ Hand-pull or spot-spray with a selective herbicide safe for Buffalo (e.g. Bin-Die or Amgrow Chemi-Kill).
→ Repeat every 4–6 weeks in spring/summer.
→ Keep Buffalo thick and healthy — it will crowd out most invaders itself.
Quick Reference Table – What We See Most & What We Use
| Problem | Suburb Hotspot | Product That Works | Time to See Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army Worm / Grubs | Officer, Clyde, Pakenham | Acepryn | 2–14 days |
| Dollar Spot | Cranbourne, Hampton Park | Heritage MAXX + fertiliser | 7–10 days |
| Brown Patch | Berwick, Narre Warren | Heritage MAXX | 10–14 days |
| Dry Patch | All new estates | Wetting agent monthly | Immediate |
| Couch invasion | Older mixed suburbs | Bin-Die selective spray | 2–3 rounds |
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Most of these problems are 10 times easier (and cheaper) to fix when you catch them in the first week.
Send us a quick photo of your lawn — we’ll tell you exactly what’s wrong and how to fix it (usually within the hour). No charge, no pushy sales — just local advice from people who see these issues every day.
Call or text 0470 514 201 or message us on Facebook. We cover Pakenham to Keysborough daily.
Small Brother Lawn Mowing Service – We know south-east lawns inside out.
www.smallbrother.com.au | 0470 514 201