1. Pest control in sports turf
Andrew Wight

2. Two main types of pest
A) Invertebrate pests
B) Vertebrate pests

3. A) Invertebrate pests Pests without a backbone
Mainly cause damage to roots of turf
Symptoms -Sward will lack vigor, wilt then become discolored also birds pulling at turf

4. Examples of invertebrate Pests
1) Earthworm casts
2) Chafer grubs
3) Leatherjackets
4) Frit fly

5. 1) Earthworm identification

6. Earthworms Ideal conditions; Mild, moist weather Heavier soils High pH
Cultural controls;
Improve drainage
Acidic fertilisers
Switch worm casts
Reduce thatch

7. Earthworms Advantages Aeration Breakdown thatch
Improves soil structure
Disadvantages
Worm-casts are unsightly and affect play
Casts smear and encourage weeds
Casts damage mowers

8. Earthworm life cycle

9. 2) Chafer Grubs identification
Larvae C shaped with 3 front legs - 30mm
Adult beetle flies in June/July
Adult lays eggs close to where it came from
Larvae hatch 5-6 weeks later
Larvae feed on roots

10. Chafer grubs life cycle

11. 3) Leatherjackets Grey-brown, legless 30mm long
Adult Crane fly emerges in August
Adult lays eggs close to where came from
Larvae hatch in 10 days
Larvae feed on roots from Aug to following Spring

12. Life cycle of crane fly

13. 4) Frit Fly Larvae like small white maggots (2mm)
Feed inside grass stem
Pupate and form red/brown pupae
Infected plants wither and die

14. Life cycle of Frit Fly

15. Vertebrate Pests 1) Moles 2) Rabbits 3) Foxes 4) Grey squirrel
5) Birds

16. B) Vertebrate pests Pests that have a backbone
Control measures include trapping and removal, gassing, shooting (must be legal)

17. 1) Moles Feed on earthworms
Molehills are unsightly, interfere with play and damage mowers
Controls
Trapping and gassing

18. 2) Rabbits Scrapings cause damage
Droppings and urine unsightly, and can affect play
Repellants applied to turf
Control
Shooting, trapping, gassing and fencing areas off.

19. Badgers
Badgers damage turf by digging fro grubs. Control- Badgers are protected so the best answer is to control the grubs.

20. 5) Bird damage Crows, rooks, seagulls etc.
Damage – the birds rip up turf to find grubs such a chafer grubs and leather jackets
Control
Control the grubs to stop birds attacking turf.