Pests can benefit course

Ants and earthworms were the topic of discussion for Dr. R. Chris Williamson at Reinders 17th Turf and Irrigation Conference, March 17, in Waukesha, Wisc.

Williamson, a member of the entomology department at the University of Wisconsin, said it is important to understand the biology of the organism prior to battling these pests.

“They are beneficial as well as pests,” he says of ants. “They feed on the eggs and larvae of some grubs and worms.”

According to Williamson, the cornfield, or “turfgrass,” ant is the most common of the species found on golf courses. They hurt the playing surface by constructing mounds and causing foliar burns or lesions on the turf.

Williamson says ant baits are more effective than surface applications because the problem is below the surface – within the colonies. Killing the workers will do no good. He says the “queen” must be killed to remove the problem. Otherwise, she will continue producing progeny and wreaking havoc on the turfgrass.

Since the bait must be thought of as food to be effective, Williamson says it is important to use fresh, dry product. Also, extra care should be taken not to disturb the mound when applying the bait. Once the mound is destroyed, ants go into survival mode and rebuild – not forage for food.

Like ants, earthworms are also beneficial as well as detrimental. They enrich soil and improve aeration and decrease thatch. Their presence is a sign of healthy soil. Negatively, they leave behind mounds and disrupt play.

Williamson says there are no chemical products labeled for earthworms, so his focus is alter their behavior. Topdressing with jagged sand or quartz makes it uncomfortable for earthworms to work their way through the soil – forcing them to surface elsewhere.

“There is no silver bullet that will completely eliminate earthworm castings,” he says, but the jagged sand or quartz within the greens surface can move the castings to less-visible locations.

Reinders has been sponsoring a conference and show since 1973. With the latest research, education, equipment and products for green industry professionals available, it has grown to become one of the largest independent shows in the country. 

More than 40 educational seminars were conducted in various tracts – golf turf, golf irrigation, landscaping, lawn care, water features, landscape lighting, sports turf & irrigation and equipment maintenance. There also were 85 green industry suppliers exhibited at the show. GCN.