The turf may require more frequent irrigation and additional fertilization, but a chemical control is not necessary. However, the same grass on a golf green will require chemical control because of the reduced root system on a golf green and the demand for high quality turf. A St. Augustine grass lawn with 25 or more chinch bugs per sq. But, the same population of insects during rainy periods may not require treatment. Natural populations of bacteria and predators that kill chinch bugs often develop under wet conditions.
Weeds also have a critical population above which treatment is required.
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.