Ornamental And Turf Pesticide Applicator Updated 2024 What is Thatch? - The layer of living and dead plant stems, leaves, and roots that develops between the soil surface and green vegetation What does proper mowing mean? - Using sharp blades to make a clean cut To promote healthy turf and reduce disease... - Water thoroughly when you first see wilting When fertilizing... - Determine fertilizer need through results of a soil test Which is false? - Thatch should be a least 2 inches thick to keep soil cool Cool-season cultivars... - Can be mixed to minimize disease Good soil drainage... - Promotes healthy turfgrass Which is false? - Do not fertilize turf that is infected with Dollar spot What are some characteristics of cutworms? - 1.) They attack turf 2.) They hide in burrows (or aeration holes) during the day and at night they clip the turf surrounding the burrow, resulting in brown streaks or circles on the lawn What are some characteristics of Armyworms? - 1.) The fall army worm and yellow striped army worm are more commonly found in the southern and transition turf ones. 2.) The sometimes feed together and "mow" the turf 3.) Has continuous generations through the year What are some characteristics of Sod Webworms? - 1.) Use soap and water method to find webworms 2.) Spin silk webbing at the base of grass crowns 3.) They winter as Caterpillars in protective webbing and in spring they feed rapidly and molt into the pupal stage. What are some characteristics of Billbugs? - 1.) They are grubs 2.) Billbug damage is easy to diagnose boy gabbing hold of the turf and PULLING OR ROLLING IT BACK What are some characteristics of Chinch Bugs? - 1.) They feed in clusters and damage first appears as circular patches of yellowing turf that resemble drought injury What kinds of pests feed on roots? - 1.) White grubs and mole crickets are the most serious root-feeding pests on turf grasses in the southern states The immature stages of Japanese beetles, Green June beetles, Masked chafers, and Oriental beetles are... - White grubs What are some characteristics of Japanese beetles? - 1.) Grubs feed on roots and organic matter at the soil-thatch junction What are some characteristics of the Masked chafer? - 1.) Turf heavily infested with masked chafers shows drought stress and dead patches that do not recover after irrigation 2.) Infested turf lifts easily What are some characteristics of Mole Crickets? - 1.) Tawny and southern mole crickets are the most damaging insect pests of warm-season turf grasses in the southern states