Nuisance(inblue)-TheOhioStateUniversity.pptVIP

* General Turf Insects – Nuisance Pests David J. Shetlar, Ph.D. The “BugDoc” The Ohio State University, OARDC OSU Extension Columbus, OH ? October, 2004, D.J. Shetlar, all rights reserved Nuisance pests are organisms that often don’t really harm the turf, but annoy users of turfgrass (e.g., earthworm castings, ant mounds), bite or sting (e.g., fleas, ticks or bees and wasps), or just gross turf users out (e.g., millipedes, centipedes, spiders, etc.). Other nuisance pests may damage turf in their search for food. Skunks, raccoons, armadillos, moles and birds are often digging into or poking holes in turf in their search of an insect meal. Most nuisance pests can be ignored, but when they become a severe annoyance or they significantly damage turf, the owner or manager must make a decision as what should be done. The obvious solution to reduce animal activity is to eliminate the insects that they are foraging for. On the other hand, earthworm castings can be difficult to manage as earthworms are normally considered beneficial animals that help aerify the soil and aid in thatch decomposition! Ground-nesting Bees Wasps Most ground-nesting bees are solitary and considered beneficial pollinators. They often nest in open areas or where turf has been thinned or beaten down. Solitary parasitic wasps often dig burrows in the soil under turf. They bury their prey within these burrows. Social bees (i.e., bumble bees) and wasps (i.e., yellowjackets) are considered beneficial pollinators and predators, respectively, but most people do not like to encounter their colonies when mowing or using the surrounding turf! Most bees and wasps in turf will not sting unless provoked! Cicada Killer This wasp is often 1.5-inches long, but looks bigger! The females paralyze annual cicadas, bury them and allow their larvae to feed on the living prey! The adult wasps often fly back and forth in front of anyone who strolls into the area of the nest, but cicada killers won’t sti