Subsurface Injection of Turfgrass Insecticides

Abstract

Surface application of insecticides on turfgrass for control of many subsurface grubs is not very efficient. It can be potentially hazardous to people, pets and other animals exposed to the insecticides. To reduce this danger, three injection systems were developed to place insecticides below the turf surface and into the main zone of activity of the grubs. The results indicate that insecticides can be successfully injected with little damage to the turf. Analyses of surface residues after injection of two common turfgrass insecticides showed significant reductions ranging from 38 percent to 95 percent over the amount remaining from spraying on the surface. Grub control using two of the three injection methods was equal to or better than that achieved with the conventional surface application method. Although it satisfactorily injected the insecticide, the third injection method using a rolling point applicator was not evaluated for grub control because the preliminary data showed little dispersion of insecticide from the point of injection and indicated a low probability of achieving efficient and effective control.