Control of Ant Mounds on a Golf Course Fairway, 1991

Abstract

The experiment was located on a golf course fairway in Clyde, OH. Insecticides and insect growth regulators were applied 8 May to plots 4.58 X 4.88 m arranged in a complete randomized block design with 4 replications. Granular baits were applied with a shaker jar. Diatomaceous earth was mixed in water and applied using a C02 sprayer with Teejet 8015 nozzles at 2.81 kg/ cm2 pressure that delivered a vol of 1600 liter/ha. Liquid treatments were applied using a C02 sprayer with Teejet 8003 lp nozzles at 1.05 kg/cm2 pressure that delivered a vol of 492 liter/ha. Dimilin and NPI-3117D2 plots were retreated 21 May following the above protocol. The plots were not irrigated after treatment. Environmental conditions at time of treatment (8 May) were: Ant mounds: 0-2/m2, 2-6 cm diam. Turf: level, dry, 3.2 cm height, 45% Kentucky bluegrass, 40% fineleaf fescue, and 15% white clover. Thatch: moist, 1.9 cm. Soil: sandy, moist, 58°F at 2.54 cm and 55°F at 7.62 cm. Weather: cloudy, 55°F, 0-8 km/h wind. Water: pH 6.91. Environmental conditions at time of retreatment (21 May) were: Ant mounds: 0-5/m2, 3-8 cm diam. Turf: dry, 3.8 cm height. Thatch: moist, 1.9 cm. Soil: sandy, moist, 60°F at 2.54 cm and 62°F at 7.62 cm. Weather; sunny, 62°, 0 km/h wind. Water: pH 5.80. Posttreatment data taken 29 May, 19 Jun, and 10 Jul (3, 6, & 9 wks, respectively) were based on the number of active mounds in 3 random .837 m2 areas from the center 9.3 m2 of each plot.