Turf (3b): Turf Pest Management - Test Your Knowledge
2023 Solved Correctly
Name some of the factors turfgrass managers must consider when setting pest
management priorities.
Turfgrass management professionals must consider human safety, environmental
safety, turf use(s), efficacy, and economics.
Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary?
Pest thresholds vary from site to site because they depend on site characteristics and
uses. For example, there may be zero tolerance for pests of any sort on a gold green.
On the other hand, there may be no great need to control pests in the grassy areas of
an industrial site. However, setting thresholds in some sites - like a school athletic field
or playground - may not be simple and clear-cut. A thick, uniform surface is ideal for
play areas, for optimum utility and safety. This, in turn, means the tolerance for pests is
low. However reliance on pesticide use may not be acceptable for some recreational
sites, especially if the primary users of that site are children.
What is the first, most basic step to take to manage pest problems? Explain your
answer.
Use Best Management Practices (BMPs) for initial design, installation, and maintenance
programs. Begin by selecting high quality, disease- and insect-free turfgrass. When
possible, plant or install resistant varieties. Choosing the right variety for the site and
use(s) is essential. Next, good cultural practices provide the best conditions for plant
health.
Why should you focus your attention on key pests, key varieties, or key
locations?
They are most likely to cause problems. Key pests, varieties, and locations require
special monitoring and care.
What is a "key pest"?
A key pest is one that often reaches population densities that justify management,
and/or is capable of causing unacceptable damage at relatively low densities, and/or
attacks and damages turfgrass(es) in conspicuous or valuable areas.
What is a "key variety"?
A "key variety" has a special "high profile" use. A variety that sustains damage from
pests on a regular basis, or has a particular pest that can kill or disfigure it in low
densities, would also be considered a "key variety."
Describe a site that would be considered a key location.
Key locations are heavily used or are significant in some way. Areas where turfgrasses
have chronic problems with pests, and/or areas that are near something or someone
requiring special protection are "key locations."
Name several things you need to make an accurate diagnosis of a pest problem.
Description of the type and extent of plant damage, identification of the pest, familiarity
with the life cycle of the pest, a good estimation of the size and distribution of the pest
population, and an assessment of whether it is increasing or decreasing.
Define the term "Integrated Pest Management." List IPM tactics used in turfgrass
pest control.
, Integrated Pest Management refers to the use of a combination of pest control tactics.
IPM programs use many types of techniques in a single plan or strategy to reduce pests
and keep their damage to an acceptable level. IPM tactics include monitoring and early
detection, sanitation, and cultural, mechanical (physical), biological, and chemical
control methods.
What is biological control? Give one example.
Biological control involves using some aspect of the pest's biology to control it. One
example is the uyse of natural enemies, biological agents that control a pest. Turfgrass
managers can preserve or encourage natural enemies already present in the system.
Alternatively, they can introduce commercially produced biological organisms. Biological
control also includes the use of pheromones or juvenile hormones to control insects.
What are some factors that influence the success of biological controls?
Biological control agents usually target specific pests. Biological control agents must be
able to move to - or be placed in contact with - the target pest. For that reason,
application techniques influence success. Adoption of biological control measures
usually takes careful planning and timing. Finally, biological control organisms must be
able to tolerate conditions at the site. To be sustainable, they must persist from season
to season.
What is cultural control? List several cultural control tactics used in turf.
Cultural control measures disrupt the normal relationship between pest and host in
order to prevent or suppress an infestation. Cultural controls make the pest less likely to
survive, grow, or reproduce. They can involve changing the turf grass environment or its
physical condition. Cultural control measures may also change the behavior of a pest. In
turf, variety selection and proper establishment are basic cultural control measures.
Other practices employed in turf include thatch management and proper mowing,
watering, and fertilization regimes. Aerating soil and cultivation practices that improve
water infiltration (spiking, vertical mowing, or coring) can help.
What is mechanical control?
Mechanical controls use some mechanical device such as a trap or barrier to control
pests.
What is sanitation? Give two examples.
Sanitation is general cleanliness. Sanitation reduces the levels of pathogens and other
pests in the turf grass environment. Using pest-free seed, sprigs, or sod is a sanitation
strategy. Careful disposal of diseased clippings is another. So are cleaning and
disinfecting tools and equipment, and taking care to avoid spreading disease by foot
traffic.
Why is the timing of a pesticide application important?
To be effective, pesticides must be applied correctly and at the proper time and rate. In
many cases, pesticides need to be used at a certain stage in a pest's life cycle. Applying
them too early or too late is a waste of time and money. In addition, poorly timed
applications may pose a threat to the turf you intend to protect as well as to other
organisms and the environment.
Explain the difference between a preventative and a curative pesticide
application.
A preventative application is made before the problem appears. A curative application is
made after the problem is noticed.
2023 Solved Correctly
Name some of the factors turfgrass managers must consider when setting pest
management priorities.
Turfgrass management professionals must consider human safety, environmental
safety, turf use(s), efficacy, and economics.
Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary?
Pest thresholds vary from site to site because they depend on site characteristics and
uses. For example, there may be zero tolerance for pests of any sort on a gold green.
On the other hand, there may be no great need to control pests in the grassy areas of
an industrial site. However, setting thresholds in some sites - like a school athletic field
or playground - may not be simple and clear-cut. A thick, uniform surface is ideal for
play areas, for optimum utility and safety. This, in turn, means the tolerance for pests is
low. However reliance on pesticide use may not be acceptable for some recreational
sites, especially if the primary users of that site are children.
What is the first, most basic step to take to manage pest problems? Explain your
answer.
Use Best Management Practices (BMPs) for initial design, installation, and maintenance
programs. Begin by selecting high quality, disease- and insect-free turfgrass. When
possible, plant or install resistant varieties. Choosing the right variety for the site and
use(s) is essential. Next, good cultural practices provide the best conditions for plant
health.
Why should you focus your attention on key pests, key varieties, or key
locations?
They are most likely to cause problems. Key pests, varieties, and locations require
special monitoring and care.
What is a "key pest"?
A key pest is one that often reaches population densities that justify management,
and/or is capable of causing unacceptable damage at relatively low densities, and/or
attacks and damages turfgrass(es) in conspicuous or valuable areas.
What is a "key variety"?
A "key variety" has a special "high profile" use. A variety that sustains damage from
pests on a regular basis, or has a particular pest that can kill or disfigure it in low
densities, would also be considered a "key variety."
Describe a site that would be considered a key location.
Key locations are heavily used or are significant in some way. Areas where turfgrasses
have chronic problems with pests, and/or areas that are near something or someone
requiring special protection are "key locations."
Name several things you need to make an accurate diagnosis of a pest problem.
Description of the type and extent of plant damage, identification of the pest, familiarity
with the life cycle of the pest, a good estimation of the size and distribution of the pest
population, and an assessment of whether it is increasing or decreasing.
Define the term "Integrated Pest Management." List IPM tactics used in turfgrass
pest control.
, Integrated Pest Management refers to the use of a combination of pest control tactics.
IPM programs use many types of techniques in a single plan or strategy to reduce pests
and keep their damage to an acceptable level. IPM tactics include monitoring and early
detection, sanitation, and cultural, mechanical (physical), biological, and chemical
control methods.
What is biological control? Give one example.
Biological control involves using some aspect of the pest's biology to control it. One
example is the uyse of natural enemies, biological agents that control a pest. Turfgrass
managers can preserve or encourage natural enemies already present in the system.
Alternatively, they can introduce commercially produced biological organisms. Biological
control also includes the use of pheromones or juvenile hormones to control insects.
What are some factors that influence the success of biological controls?
Biological control agents usually target specific pests. Biological control agents must be
able to move to - or be placed in contact with - the target pest. For that reason,
application techniques influence success. Adoption of biological control measures
usually takes careful planning and timing. Finally, biological control organisms must be
able to tolerate conditions at the site. To be sustainable, they must persist from season
to season.
What is cultural control? List several cultural control tactics used in turf.
Cultural control measures disrupt the normal relationship between pest and host in
order to prevent or suppress an infestation. Cultural controls make the pest less likely to
survive, grow, or reproduce. They can involve changing the turf grass environment or its
physical condition. Cultural control measures may also change the behavior of a pest. In
turf, variety selection and proper establishment are basic cultural control measures.
Other practices employed in turf include thatch management and proper mowing,
watering, and fertilization regimes. Aerating soil and cultivation practices that improve
water infiltration (spiking, vertical mowing, or coring) can help.
What is mechanical control?
Mechanical controls use some mechanical device such as a trap or barrier to control
pests.
What is sanitation? Give two examples.
Sanitation is general cleanliness. Sanitation reduces the levels of pathogens and other
pests in the turf grass environment. Using pest-free seed, sprigs, or sod is a sanitation
strategy. Careful disposal of diseased clippings is another. So are cleaning and
disinfecting tools and equipment, and taking care to avoid spreading disease by foot
traffic.
Why is the timing of a pesticide application important?
To be effective, pesticides must be applied correctly and at the proper time and rate. In
many cases, pesticides need to be used at a certain stage in a pest's life cycle. Applying
them too early or too late is a waste of time and money. In addition, poorly timed
applications may pose a threat to the turf you intend to protect as well as to other
organisms and the environment.
Explain the difference between a preventative and a curative pesticide
application.
A preventative application is made before the problem appears. A curative application is
made after the problem is noticed.
