Month: February 2017
How to Treat Lawn Grub Attacks
If you find your lawn afflicted with the curse of the lawn grubs don’t despair. Treating and eradicating these pests is relatively easy. You will need to be particularly vigilant as the weather warms up, usually September to March, and after heavy rain. Couch and Kikuyu varieties are usually the most prone to attack and Buffalo to a lesser extent. Once you have determined that you are indeed under attack you must defend your lawn without delay.
Symptoms
As a result of extensive root damage caused by these larvae or lawn grubs, your lawn can no longer take up the moisture and nutrient it requires efficiently. This causes the grass to become dry and straw like, as it would during severe drought conditions.
When at its worst, the grass will actually be able to be peeled back easily from the soil surface as the roots have been eaten away. This is when you will inevitably find a large number of feeding larvae.
Common signs of a lawn grub infestation
- Increased bird activity on your lawn
One of the most easily spotted symptoms is an increase in bird activity on your lawn. These grubs make a great snack for the local birds and you’ll find them popping over to your place for lunch!
- Spongey lawn
A spongy lawn can also be a good indicator of grub activity.
- Brown patches in your lawn
Brown patches that gradually spread may also be a sign that grubs are present.
But if you are looking to confirm for certain if they are there then there are a couple of tests you can try.
How to identify a lawn grub problem
- First test is to lay a wet towel, hessian bag or piece of carpet on the lawn overnight. In the morning, lift it up and see if anything has come to the surface and is underneath it.
- Second test is to mix together a bucket of soapy water and pour it over the edge of an affected area. Keep any eye on it and after about 10 minutes or so, usually if there are grubs there, they will come to the surface. This is best done at dawn or dusk when they are most likely to be active.
So, you’ve done the tests and you do have a grub problem, but how do you fix it?
Treatment
Due to the rate at which lawn grubs feed (and move across your lawn), the amount of eggs they lay and the sheer numbers involved in an infestation delaying treatment can be disastrous. Your local turf farmer, online lawn care product provider or nursery can supply advice and a fast acting insecticide such as Battle Insecticide to get the job sorted quickly and easily. Always follow the manufacturer’s handling and safety instructions and use a product that is designed especially for the type of lawn you have. Each different insecticide product type requires a different method of application so it is essential that you read all instructions to receive the outcome you need; no more lawn grubs. Because lawn grubs bury themselves in the soil during the day and come out to feed at night the most effective time to apply the treatment is as late in the day as possible while the adults are active.
If you are treating during a dry spell remember to water the insecticide into the lawn. If you are lucky enough to have rain coming then use the opportunity to your advantage; apply the treatment while the rain is falling. To ensure the grubs are eradicated, apply the treatment again in two weeks. This is especially important because eggs can take two to five weeks to hatch. A re-application at this point will ensure that any missed eggs or grubs are eliminated.
Prevention
Unfortunately attack by these grubs can happen to any lawn and can occur numerous times during a season.
This is why we recommend Grub Guard Ultimate, Acelepryn GR and Acelepryn Liquid. Acelepryn provides safe and effective control of black beetle while minimising the impact on the environment and non-target organisms, such as bees and earthworms.
Acelepryn targets pests such as black beetle, stem weevil, cut worm and army worm. The great thing about Acelepryn in comparison to other pesticides, is that it’s preventative. This is why spring is a great time to spread it out and protect your lawn for up to six months.
Black Beetle Larvae
Black beetle eggs are laid in spring and early summer. After several weeks the eggs hatch and the larvae or grubs emerge that then feed on the grass roots. It is when large numbers of these eggs hatch that it is a serious problem for some lawns. These larvae develop through 3 stages, the fully-grown larvae at the end of the third stage are around 25mm long. You will need to be particularly vigilant as the weather warms up, usually September to March, and after heavy rain.
The larvae then move into pre-pupae and pupae stages which cause no damage to your lawn, before developing into adults after about 2 months, in late Summer or early Autumn.
Finding the Best Grass Variety
From Queensland to Melbourne via Sydney and Canberra there isn’t really a perfect grass variety, but HAL (Horticulture Australia Limited) with the help from some research carried out in WA, set out to find which variety was the best for the area. According to recent research done by the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (HAL project TU04013), available at http://era.deedi.qld.gov.au/1764/ * they found Sir Walter Buffalo grass was a good one. 13 buffalo (Stenotaphrum secundatum) cultivars were tested at 7 locations for their colour, turf quality and thatch development. The tables below is a summary of the results for 4 of those cultivars. (0=worst, 9=best)
| Cultivar | Total Of Colour Scores | Average Colour | % Diff From Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | 64 | 5.8 | 4 |
| Sapphire | 62.9 | 5.7 | 2 |
| Sir Walter DNA | 66.7 | 6.1 | 9 |
| Shademaster | 61.1 | 5.6 | control |
| Cultivar | Total Of Quality Scores | Average Quality | % Diff From Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | 61.8 | 6.2 | -2 |
| Sapphire | 60.7 | 6.1 | -3 |
| Sir Walter DNA | 64.8 | 6.5 | +3 |
| Shademaster | 63.1 | 6.3 | control |
((0=bare ground (no thatch) 9=heaviest thatch))
| Cultivar | Total Of Thatch Scores | Average Thatch | % Diff From Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | 36.3 | 4 | -13 |
| Sapphire | 39.3 | 4.4 | -5 |
| Sir Walter DNA | 40.1 | 4.5 | -2 |
| Shademaster | 41.6 | 4.6 | Control |
* When we combine these scores with the thatch score as a negative to give a true overall figure, we get:
| Cultivar | Colour+Quality-Thatch | % Difference From Control |
|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | 89.5 | 8 |
| Sapphire | 84.3 | 2 |
| Sir Walter DNA | 91.4 | 10 |
| Shademaster | 82.6 | control |
* Sir Walter DNA Certified, according to this research is a good one, that’s why it is the most popular and biggest buffalo in Oz (data available from TPA research). Following are some other interesting statistics from the same recent research highlighting Sir Walter’s characteristics. Sward height Turf sward height (mm) on irrigated swards of 4 buffalos grown under shade at Redlands Research Station Qld. Oct 07-May 09
| Cultivar | Total Height | Av. Over 9 Measurements | % Difference From Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | 525.1 | 58.3 | +1 |
| Sapphire | 546.8 | 60.7 | +5 |
| Sir Walter DNA | 536.6 | 59.6 | +3 |
| Shademaster | 518.8 | 57.6 | Control |
* All varieties grew to about the same height with Sapphire needing slightly more mowing to look acceptable. NB, These results differ greatly from other non-independent research posted elsewhere on the web. Wear Percentages of bare ground determined visually for 4 buffalos that have undergone wear treatments in Aug 08 at Redlands Research Station Qld
| Cultivar | % Bare Over 14 Wks,10 Readings | Acceptable Level Achieved At Wk | % Difference From Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | 26.2 | 13 | +209 |
| Sapphire | 51.9 | 13 | +415 |
| Sir Walter DNA | 16.3 | 9 | +130 |
| Shademaster | 12.5 | 9 | control |
*Sir Walter Buffalo & Shademaster had about half the wear of Palmetto whereas Sapphire wore twice as much. Palmetto & Sapphire took 4 weeks longer to reach an acceptable level after being worn than Sir Walter. Drought tolerance Total clippings produced (g/m2) by 4 buffalo grass genotypes irrigated at 80%, 50% or 33% replacement of net evaporation, for 98 days in plots at Shenton Park WA (summer of 07/08). Plots were mown weekly at 25mm.
| Cultivar | Clippings @ 80% Replacement (Control) G/Dry Mass/M2 | Clippings @ 50% Replacement (% Of Control) | Clippings @ 33% Replacement (% Of Control) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | 148 | 82 | 17 |
| Sapphire | 149 | 82 | 47 |
| Sir Walter DNA | 203 | 91 | 54 |
| Shademaster | 145 | 104 | 45 |
*Sir Walter Buffalo produced more clippings under extreme drought than Palmetto or Sapphire meaning it is more drought tolerant. Root mass Total root mass (kg dry mass /m3) of 4 buffalo grass genotypes. Samples taken at – 12mths (Nov 06) and -24mths (Dec 07) after planting from irrigated plots irrigated at 80% replacement of net evaporation at Shenton Park WA
| Cultivar | Increase Kg/M3 | % Increase | % Increase Over Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | 5.51 | 177 | -21 |
| Saphire | 5.78 | 193 | -13 |
| Sir Walter DNA | 8.3 | 230 | +24 |
| Shademaster | 6.68 | 225 | Control |
*In the 2nd year of your lawns life, Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo will increase its root structure 51% more than Palmetto and 44% more than Sapphire. Root depth Root distribution 12mths after planting (21/11/06)
| Cultivar | Root Depth |
|---|---|
| Palmetto | <50cm |
| Sapphire | <50cm |
| Sir Walter DNA Certified | 50-100cm |
| Shademaster | 50-100cm |
*After only 12 months, Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo roots exceed 50cm in depth Leaf water content Leaf water content of 4 buffalo grass genotypes irrigated at 50% or 33% replacement of net evaporation for 56 days during summer of 06/07. Shenton Park WA.
| Cultivar | @50% Replacement Of Net Evaporation. Ml/G Dry Mass | @33% Replacement Of Net Evaporation. Ml/G Dry Mass |
|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | <2.5 | <2 |
| Sapphire | <2.5 | <2 |
| Sir Walter DNA | >2.5 | >2 |
| Shademaster | <2.5 | <2 |
* Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo loses the least amount of moisture from the leaf in extreme dry conditions. Shade Subjective turf quality rating (0=dead, 6=acceptable and 10=excellent) at end of 10wk trial (11/5/09) Qld
| Cultivar | 0% | 30% | 50% | 70% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | 5.3 | 4.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 1.0 |
| Sapphire | 7.7 | 6.3 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 1.7 |
| Sir Walter | 6 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 1.7 |
| Shademaster | 7.3 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 3.7 | 0.7 |
* Sapphire & Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo have similar shade tolerances at high levels of shade. Palmetto & Sir Walter may have scored better if the initial (0%) turf quality was better. Winter growth Comparison of winter growth of 4 buffalo grass genotypes, samples taken winter July 07 at Wembley Golf Course WA
| Cultivar | Winter Clippings G/M2/Wk | % Difference From Control |
|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | .22 | -21 |
| Sapphire | .35 | 25 |
| Sir Walter DNA | .76 | 271 |
| Shademaster | .28 | control |
*Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo grew right through winter, producing 3.5 times the growth of Palmetto & over twice that of Sapphire, making it a true winter active lawn being more capable to handle the wear and tear of the average Aussie back yard. Winter colour Comparison of summer vs. winter colour of 4 buffalo grass genotypes. Measurements taken Feb 07 & Jul 07 at Wembley Golf Course WA
| Cultivar | Summer Hue Angle | Winter Hue Angle | Change Indicating Winter Decline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto | 114 | 101 | -13.2 |
| Sapphire | 118 | 111 | -7 |
| Sir Walter DNA | 114 | 106 | -8.5 |
| Shademaster | 112 | 98 | -14.8 |
*Sir Walter DNA Certified & Sapphire buffalo had the least loss of colour in winter, whereas Palmetto nearly lost as much colour as Shademaster. NB, These results differ greatly from other non-independent research posted elsewhere on the web. * Denotes editor’s comments.
The Environmental Value a Lawn Can Add to a Home
Lawns are living, breathing filtration and cooling ‘air-conditioning’ systems.
- A fresh lawn allows you to take a fresh-breath right outside your home; lawns take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis, and they trap dirt and dust released into the atmosphere. Leaving your grass clippings on the lawn also increases carbon intake.
- Lawns absorb sound and greatly reduce noise pollution, especially in urban areas.
- Lawns are essentially natural air conditioners. Lawns cool themselves and their surroundings, reducing home cooling needs, and potentially saving you money on energy requirements.
- A well-kept lawn improves the stability in soil through its deep and widespread roots, which reduce erosion from water and wind.
- Well maintained lawns reduce the risk of fire hazards and helps slow the advancement of wildfires. Healthy lawns can in fact, act as firebreaks, offering major protection during wildfires. Hopefully this fact won’t become relevant to you and will remain an interesting fact.
- Lawns and greenspace have been shown to have stress-relieving properties for home-owners. A fresh, green patch of lawn outside your home is an attractive feature for potential homebuyers, increasing your property value, whilst adding community appeal.
Did you know that Lawn Solutions Australia has the only grass with the Smart Approved WaterMark?
TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda has been formally recognised with the Smart Approved WaterMark for the following states and territories in Australia – QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS and SA (WA & NT excluded).
After many years of extensive independent testing and research, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda is the first and only turf grass to receive this for drought tolerance in Australia or anywhere in the world.
The following lawn-facts should be considered when tossing up between lawns or other surface coverings:
- Studies have shown that a neat lawn and garden can add as much as 15 percent to a home’s value.
- It is widely known in real estate circles that one of the most cost effective ways to boost a home’s kerb appeal is by attractively landscaping the yard. Lawns in the home landscape are often overlooked for their value and what they can add as far as the economic benefits are concerned and also importantly the environmental bonus that come with lawns.
- A lawn can provide a welcoming space for picnics or family barbeques, as well as a great spot for your pets to play. Turf is also perfect for recreation and sport, allowing you and your kids to have leisure time outside of your home.
- Even better than ‘adult colouring-in books’, lawns have been shown to reduce stress and improve wellness. There is growing evidence that natural grass lawns have a therapeutic effect.
- Plants and their effects on the human body or ‘the biophilia effect’, is shown to reduce muscle tension related to stress, lower blood pressure, improve attention and reduce feelings of aggression or fear.
- Is there anything lawns can’t do? A healthy lawn is a perfect economic and environmental choice, and Lawn Solutions Australia is dedicated to helping you grow and maintain a sustainable lawn.