How to Deal with European Chafer 39th Annual Provincial Parks and Grounds Spring Training February 18, 2016 Peter Isaacson DessIsaa Horticultural Consultants Inc.

What the...?

2

Third Instar (Large) Chafer Larva

4

The Chafer Life Cycle in Vancouver

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar Apr

May Jun

July

Aug Sep

Oct

Nov

6

Control and the Chafer Life Cycle • January – March – Large grubs – Controls: Lawn maintenance

• April / May – Pupal stages – Controls: Lawn maintenance

• June – Adults flying – Controls: Lawn maintenance, some pesticides , lawn maintenance 7

Control and the Chafer Life Cycle • July – August – Eggs hatching/Small grubs – Controls: Nematodes, some pesticides , lawn maintenance

• September – December – Large grubs – Controls: Some pesticides, lawn maintenance

8

Why does my lawn look OK in spring? Good lawn management Grass grows quickly in spring Chafer feeding has stopped Animals feeding on other things When the cycle starts again in July, small grubs do minor damage • Damage will start to be apparent in late summer / fall • • • • •

I HAVE CHAFER !!! Chafer Help 5¢

What do I do ?

How are We Going to Deal with Chafer? • • • • •

Lawncare #1 Nematodes Lawn Restoration Lawn Alternatives Others

11

7 Steps to Healthy Turf • • • • • • •

Step 1: aerating and thatch control Step 2: improving soil quality Step 3: overseeding Step 4: mowing Step 5: fertilizing Step 6: irrigating Step 7: spot check for pests 12

Step 1: aerating and thatch control • Aeration perforates the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. – This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn. – The main reason for aerating is to alleviate soil compaction.

Step 1: aerating and thatch control • When to aerate? – Lawn gets heavy use (e.g. Kids and pets)

14

Step 1: aerating and thatch control • When to aerate? – Was established as part of a newly constructed home (construction equipment compacts soil)

15

Step 1: aerating and thatch control • When to aerate? – Dries out easily and has a spongy feel (this might mean your lawn has an excessive thatch problem)

16

Step 1: aerating and thatch control • When to aerate? – Was established by sod, and soil layering exists (soil of finer texture, which comes with imported sod, is layered over the existing coarser soil)

17

Step 1: aerating and thatch control • Core aerate in the spring and fall before top dressing or fertilizing. – Grass is active and can fill in the holes

• Aerators can be rented or lawn care companies can provide the service.

18

Step 1: aerating and thatch control • Thatch is a loose, intermingled organic layer of dead and living shoots, stems, and roots that develops between the zone of green vegetation and the soil surface.

19

Step 1: aerating and thatch control • A healthy lawn has 1 cm (½ inch) of thatch more than 2.5 cm is too much. • Unhealthy amounts of thatch prevent water and nutrients from reaching roots. • Thatch can harbour insects and diseases.

20

Step 2 : improving soil quality • Grass grows best in a moist, fertile soil that is not waterlogged. • Sandy soil and heavy clay both need humus to improve the texture.

21

Step 2 : improving soil quality • A deep dense root system is most important to support top growth in grass. • A minimum of 4 in. (10 cm) of soil is needed. • More soil = deeper roots = happy turf

22

Step 2 : improving soil quality • Top dress lawn with good quality top soil (¼ to ½ inch), consisting of loam, peat moss and compost, to improve soil conditions. • Can be combined with overseeding

23

Step 2 : improving soil quality • If your lawn has more than ½ inch of thatch, dethatch or core aerate your lawn first. • If you plan on overseeding, do this after the topdressing is down so you don’t bury the seed too deeply • It is okay to fertilize after top dressing. – Nutrients from compost are released slowly from microbial activity, so fertilizer could give your grass some immediately available nutrients. 24

Step 3: overseed • This one step will do more to improve the quality of your lawn than almost anything else you can do. • Overseeding = spreading seed over existing lawn • Best time is early fall, but can be done in spring if there is winter damage. • Overseeding is best done after top-dressing – Seed should not be covered with more than ¼ inch of soil

25

Step 3: overseed • Our cool season grasses are bunch-type grasses – overseeding helps create a thick carpet of lawn

• Top-dressing and overseeding are ideal opportunities to introduce drought-resistant grass mixes – ryes and fescues.

Before (fall)

After (spring)

26

Step 4: mowing • Grass cutting is the major time-consuming operation in the maintenance of any turfgrass area. • Good mowing practices are perhaps the most important single factor contributing to a wellgroomed appearance and the longevity of any turfgrass area. 27

Step 4: mowing • Mow Height – SCIENCE: The height at which a given perennial grass can be cut and still survive for extended periods is directly related to its ability to produce enough leaf surface to keep up photosynthetic production of food. – Mow high: 6 to 8+ cm (approx 3 in.). – Keep mower blades sharp

29

Step 5: fertilizing • A regular fertilization program is necessary to maintain good quality turfgrass and can greatly improve poor quality lawns

30

Step 5: fertilizing • Fertilizers include Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium – Abbreviated to N-P-K

• Grass plants normally need nitrogen and potassium in larger amounts than can be supplied naturally from the soil. • An established lawn with a good root system can seek out phosphorous already in the soil. 31

Step 5: fertilizing • SCIENCE – Nitrogen: needed for growth and good green color – Phosphorus: necessary for good root development and important in many vital growth processes (lawn establishment) – Potassium: required for physiological functions and promotes disease resistance, drought tolerance, and winter hardiness in grasses. 32

Step 6: irrigating • A practical watering program embodies three basic concepts: – How should water be applied? – How much water should be applied? – How often should water be applied?

33

Step 6: irrigating • The amount of water to apply at any one time will depend upon the waterholding capacity of the soil, the amount of moisture present when irrigation is started, and drainage. • Water deeply: 2.5 cm (one inch) – This is enough to soak the soil down 6 - 10 inches

• Follow any regional watering restrictions 34

Step 6: irrigating • Can I le let et my lawn law wn go dor dormant rmant in n tthe he ssummer? um – A he healthy ealthyy law lawn wn can caan go d dormant orm man nt d during urin ng ext extended ten perio ods and and can survive surrvivve four fo our to o six sixx weeks wee ek dryy periods ithoutt ad dequaate w atter. without adequate water. ater only only during duriing an ne xtre eme drought dro oughtt or iff lawn – Water extreme orr renovation. reno ovation n. nderr sstress tresss o is u under your la awn is is d ormaant: – If your lawn dormant: • • • •

Ch Check heck regularly reggularlly for for pes pests sts Keep p traffic traffic o ff off Stop mowing mowing Do not fertilize ferttilize 35

Step 7: spot check for pests • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is as good as conventional pest management • Includes: – Planning and managing turf to prevent pests – Looking out for problems and identifying them – Use strategies that include a combination of techniques including cultural practices and non-chemical controls 36

So how can lawn maintenance prevent this...?

37

Recommendations for Homeowners ͻ If there is any visible damage in spring, and large larvae or pupae can be found, a treatment with nematodes mid-July through mid-August with appropriate watering, will help ͻ Healthy vigorous lawns are able to outcompete chafer damage ͻ Good lawn care practices can be just as important as a nematode application 38

Where can I buy nematodes and what will they cost? • E.g. Nemasys, Terranem and other products (packs of 50 million nematodes) • Various garden centers and horticulture suppliers • Lawn care companies At garden centers suggested retail: ~$79.99 for 1 pack of 50 million To treat 1000-2000 square feet

How to use nematodes ͻ Keep lawn well watered (within watering restrictions) ͻ On the day of application, plan to water once before application and once after ͻ Mix nematodes in water and apply with watering can in the evening ͻ Keep watering on your watering days for at least 3 weeks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =ptKkfBsA22E

Simple Lawn Restoration 1. Gently rake away damaged turf (only) 2. Apply lawn starting fertilizer to remaining exposed soil 3. Top dress the ground with good quality soil and apply grass seed NOTE: It is NOT recommended that soils be removed from the site as this may accelerate the spread of the European chafer grubs. 42

Pesticides ͻ Merit (imidacloprid) and Arena (clothianidin) – Group 4a insecticide Ё Neonicotinoid pesticides, systemic Ё Make applications prior to egg hatch

ͻ Acelepryn (chlorantraniliprole) – group 28 Ё Application timing similar to neonicotinoids

ͻ Sevin (carbaryl) – group 1a insecticide Ё Apply when grubs are present

43 43

Timing of European Chafer Activity Acelepryn®, Arena® and Merit® Treatments: May/June Date

APRIL

Life Stage

3rd Instar

Observations

Feeding Damage

Treatments

MAY Pupae

JUNE Adults

JULY Egg

AUGUST 1st Instar

Adult Flight

SEPTEMBER 2nd Instar

Feeding Damage

TREATMENTS

OCTOBER 3rd Instar

Timing of European Chafer Activity Sevin® Treatments: Summer Date

APRIL

Life Stage

3rd Instar

Observations

Feeding Damage

Treatments

MAY Pupae

JUNE Adults

JULY Egg

AUGUST 1st Instar

Adult Flight

SEPTEMBER 2nd Instar

OCTOBER 3rd Instar

Feeding Damage

TREATMENTS

46

47

Thank You