A single dandelion in a bluegrass lawn does not require a chemical application, but 5 or more per 1,000 sq. Likewise, annual bluegrass populations may determine whether or not a bentgrass golf green needs complete renovations or just continued management. Targeting Chemical Applications Monitoring pest populations and scouting turfgrass areas for pest activity allows the turfgrass manager to make timely chemical applications to specific areas and for specific pests. Broad spectrum chemical applications to the entire property are not always required for pest control when the turf manager takes the time or designates a trained applicator to scout and monitor the property. Where this practice has been implemented the use of chemicals was significantly reduced and pest control was improved.
Chinch bugs provide an example of the effectiveness of targeting chemical applications.
Adult chinch bugs can be found year-round in St. Augustine grass lawns, yet chemical controls are not always needed. Experience suggests that when chinch bug populations reach 25 per sq. Observations also suggest that chinch bug populations are quite sporadic and the entire lawn or turf facility may not need to be treated. Also, as previously mentioned, wet conditions or natural predators may reduce populations to acceptable levels without chemical controls. Only when populations of chinch bugs are above critical levels and visual symptoms indicate damage is occurring should chemical applications be made, and, then, only infested areas of the lawn require treatment.