Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
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www.landscapeirrigation.com A s we hopefully approach the end of "coat season" across much of the country, the pests Mother Nature has so generously provided will be emerging soon to greet us. An awareness of the impact that harsh, cold win- ter weather may have had on key turf and or- namental insect pests will help you develop a solid, proactive game plan for spring and summer treatments. In addition, as you again prepare to face off against key pests like fire ants and white grubs, the strategies and in- depth insights on these problem pests will help arm you with the tools for a successful, pest-free season. Surviving the polar vortex? Turfgrass managers will need to monitor for pests this year as per usual, and if preven- tive or curative insecticide applications are typical for your region, expect to make them about the same time this year as you have in previous years. Some reports circulated in January through a Chicago Tribune article suggested that the survival of the emerald ash borer (EAB) could be limited this year by the extreme cold winter weather that affected the Midwest. However, although extreme cold weather (-20 to -30°F) can limit the overwintering of many insect pests, it is important to note that the EAB may not be severely affected since the pest originates from a region near Manchuria, China, where extreme cold con- ditions are commonly observed each winter. Another report from Virginia Tech shows that an exotic new pest, the brown mar- morated stink bug (BMSB), may not survive the winter very well this year, again due to the polar vortex. It's possible that initial popula- tions of BMSB may be lower this spring; however, the BMSB may increase in numbers throughout the spring and summer. As late summer/early fall approaches, populations may be at levels requiring treatment, which just so happens to be the recommended time of the year for an insecticide application. But what about the turf pests such as fire ants, white grubs, annual bluegrass weevil, bill- bugs, and chinch bugs that have to be con- trolled annually? It is strongly recommend that you continue to scout or monitor for these pests because the winter should not have had any major impact on their survival or emergence. Don't fool around with fire ants Fire ants infest more than 325 million acres across the southern portion of the United States and pose a serious and growing public health threat, injuring more than 20 million people each year with their stings. Colonies of fire ants can grow to comprise up to 500,000 members. Just one colony can have multiple queens capable of laying 1,500 eggs each, per day. The fire ant mound is the nursery cham- ber for the colony. The queen(s) is moved up and down the area beneath the mound de- pending on the temperature (if it's cold, the nurse ants move queens down to protect from freezing conditions). Queens and fire ant brood can be moved anywhere from ground level to 6 feet below ground level. Further- more, fire ant tunnels can burrow much deeper to seek out a source of moisture. Once fire ants are established in your area, cold weather has little impact on the fire ant colony — if necessary, the colony can burrow deep into the soil. Applications of fipronil (Top- choice) beginning now will provide up to a full year of fire ant control. Strategies for a grub-free season The most frustrating pest we encounter across the country is the white grub. The Midwest and Northeast suffer most severely from consistent grub problems despite the re- gions' cold and often frigid winters. It is ex- pected that white grubs will survive and overwinter this year, and adults will be flying and mating during their normal timing in mid-summer (approx. June-August). Research has clearly demonstrated that white grub sur- vival is dependent on the female beetle select- ing and depositing eggs in lush vigorously growing turf. If you provide your customers with well–groomed, lush turf, you create an ideal environment for the female beetles to deposit their eggs. Since the most widely used insecticides provide four months residual con- trol of grubs, there is no need to apply early. While warmer springs can bring beetle flights slightly earlier than usual, years of university research show that grubs fly and mate during the June-August window. In previous years with very early springs, some applications of preventive grub products went out too early and efficacy was sacrificed late in the season. Use a preventive grub insecticide to protect your turf through the end of mating season in August. Preventive application timings of im- idacloprid (Merit) are best made in June and July, based on more than 20 years of research. If you determine that you have numerous overwintering white grubs in the spring, you Facing Off Against Turf Pests Landscape and Irrigation 29 Photos provided by Bayer Landscape and Turf Maintenance By Ken Kukorowski Fire ant mound Grub damage