Weekly Insight Week 19
Growing Grass in the Desert Starts Here
May 3 - 9 , 2026
Good morning.
We’ve been blessed with 6.59 inches of rain so far this year here in San Angelo. That puts us about 1.11 inches above normal year to date.
If you look back, we came into May dry in years like 1987 and 2015, then caught some good early rains just like we are now. Those years ended up well above average, finishing around 32 inches in 1987 and about 27 inches in 2015, compared to our normal of roughly 21 inches.
If this year tracks anything like those, it sure would be nice to see our lakes, reservoirs, and water table get a good recharge.
Our 5-day average soil temperature is sitting at 76 degrees, with this morning at 66 degrees. Heading into the afternoon, everything is warming up, and with this kind of moisture in the soil, we’re fixing to see a strong response.
And I mean everything.
Over the next week, there are three things I expect to pick up fast:
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Mosquitoes
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Ants, roaches, and crawling insects
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Fungus in the lawn
Let’s walk through it.
LAWN FUNGUS WHAT WE’RE SEEING
Bermuda Grass
Common issues:
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Dollar Spot
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Leaf Spot
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Spring Dead Spot (carryover)
Bermuda wants heat and airflow. When we stack moisture with mild temps, it starts to weaken and show spotting.
St. Augustine Grass
Common issues:
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Brown Patch
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Gray Leaf Spot
This is usually the first grass to show it. If you’re seeing circular patches or areas that look like they’re melting, fungus is active.
Zoysia Grass
Common issues:
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Large Patch
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Brown Patch
Zoysia holds moisture longer. It may be slower to show it, but when it does, it can spread quickly.
FUNGICIDES MODE OF ACTION & USE
This is where understanding the product matters.
Systemic Fungicides (inside the plant)
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Azoxystrobin (QoI / strobilurin)
Stops fungal respiration -
Propiconazole (DMI)
Stops sterol production in fungi
Examples you carry:
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Heritage (azoxystrobin)
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Propiconazole products
Rates (general guidance):
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Preventative: lower label rate every 14–21 days
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Curative: higher label rate every 7–14 days
Contact Fungicides (on the surface)
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Chlorothalonil
Mode of action:
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Protects the leaf surface
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Needs good coverage
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Washes off easier with heavy rain
BMP Thought
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Rotate modes of action to prevent resistance
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Do not overwater right now, soil already has plenty
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Apply in the morning when possible
MOSQUITO CONTROL BMP
This is fixing to ramp up fast.
Larvicides (stop them before they fly)
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BT
Bacteria that kills larvae in water -
Methoprene
Prevents them from maturing
Adulticides (kill on contact)
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Bifenthrin (Talstar)
Affects insect nervous system -
Lambda-cyhalothrin
BMP
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Dump standing water
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Treat water you can’t dump
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Spray shaded areas, fences, and under leaves
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Apply early morning or late afternoon
ANTS, ROACHES & CRAWLING INSECTS
Wet soil pushes insects up and out.
Baits
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Hydramethylnon
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Indoxacarb
Mode:
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Carried back to colony
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Slow but effective
Granulars
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Bifenthrin granules
Mode:
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Contact kill
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Activated by watering
Liquids
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Talstar (bifenthrin)
Mode:
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Fast knockdown
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Residual control
Dusts
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Deltamethrin dust
Mode:
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Best for cracks, voids, and nests
BMP
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Bait for long-term control
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Liquid for quick knockdown
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Combine both when pressure is high
GRUB CONTROL LOOKING AHEAD
We’re not there yet, but we’re getting close.
Preventative
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Imidacloprid
Works early on larvae
Curative
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Trichlorfon
BMP
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Preventative goes out before hatch
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Curative after damage is visible
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Timing is critical
CLOSING THOUGHT
Everything we’re seeing right now ties back to moisture.
Too dry, we fight drought.
Too wet, we fight fungus and insects.
Right now, we’re on the wet side of that equation.
If you’re seeing something and not sure what it is, bring it to us or send a picture. We’ll help you identify it and make sure you’re putting out the right product, at the right rate, at the right time.
BES-TEX Supply
4512 Adobe Dr.
San Angelo, TX 76903
325.653.1300
Payment Terms: At BES-TEX Supply, we accept all major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express), as well as personal checks & cash. Please note that all sale items must be paid for at the time of purchase. We do not offer net 30 terms on sale items.
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