Southern Mole Cricket Control on Bermudagrass Fairways, North Carolina, 1986

Eight insecticides were evaluated on bermudagrass at Ocean Isle Beach Golf Course, Brunswick Co. Treatments were replicated 4 times and randomly assigned to 10 by 10 ft plots throughout the most heavily infested area of the fairway. Treatments were applied under sunny skies and temperatures of 80-83F. Liquid treatments were applied with a COj backpack sprayer delivering 35 gal/acre at 40 psi using 8002 flat fan nozzles. Granular treatments were applied using a custom bicycle wheel granular applicator with a Noble metering unit delivering a 12-inch wide band. The unit was hand pulled back and forth across the plots of 12 inch increments to provide uniform and complete coverage. Following application all plots were irrigated with 0.5 inch of water, except for Orthene which was applied after irrigation. Sampling was conducted at 24 h and 8 DAT. Two 0.5 sq m grids were placed within each plot and 2 gal of water containing 2 tablespoons of household dishwashing detergent were applied with a sprinkling can to each area. The area was then observed for 5 min and the number of mole crickets emerging was recorded.