Pest Management
A
very big problem that is associated with turfgrasses is a wide range of different
pests that cause the quality of the grass to be not up to par.
Common Turfgrass
Pests: (these are all common
in northern grasses)
- Weeds
( crabgrass, quack grass, and chickweed)
- Be sure to apply a herbicide that best suits your lawn or golf courses needs.
- Insects
(Cutworms, Sod webworms, and grubs)
-Insecticides are available to apply to grass to keep these insects out, but
you need to make sure if the chemical to be applied requires a pesticide applicators
license to apply.
- Diseases
(Dollar spot, Pythium, snow mold, brown patch, and countless
others).
-For control of diseases, almost every type of fungicide will need a licensed
applicator to apply it. One must know what the chemical does to the grass,
and how it works. For one to over apply or under apply any chemical on a home
lawn or golf course could mean bad results.
- Mammals
(Raccoons,
Skunks, Rabbits, Deer)
- Raccoons and skunks eat grubs just under the turf and rip
it up to get the grubs. (it is good to hire a trapper licensed by your county's
division of wildlife to manage the damage done by raccoons and skunks).
-Deer, cause problems by running onto greens and leaving hoof marks. Not much
you can do with deer, but make them feel not welcome.
-Rabbits tend to eat flowers out of perennial beds, leaving a less desirable
landscape. Repellants are available to apply to the plants, to keep them away
from the plants.

***Note: Pesticides are very harmful chemicals, and should be only dealt
with by professionals. ***
***Be sure
to search OSU horticulture for additional information on turfgrass pests and
ways to maintain these pests**
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