Insect repellant

Two things that can be counted on year after year: the humidity and the gnats! The humidity can be stifling, both to golfers and the turf. Just like applying chemicals to the turf grass to help it cope with the humidity, people apply insect repellant to help deal with the insects.

It doesn’t matter whether you play in the early morning, mid-day, or evening, the bugs are out in force. Gnats, mosquitoes, and any other buzzing, biting insect that can be troublesome are usually repelled well by the use of bug repellants. There are many different choices on the market today between brands and application types. For example, one can use a spray, a cream, or a wipe to apply the same protection.

While the mosquito repellant is an effective safeguard against the attack of the insects and is safe for people, the chemicals in the spray are actually harmful to turf grass. Greens, tees, and fairways are especially vulnerable to the effects of the repellant and damage can range from turning the grass a straw brown color all the way to death. Golfers unknowingly apply the spray to themselves while standing on one of these surfaces and the overspray lands on the turf. The most common cause of the spray contacting the turf is when the repellant is applied to one’s legs. When leaning down to spray, especially around the ankles and trying to get thorough coverage, the mist gets on the turf grass. The tell-tale sign is brown turf with foot-print shaped areas of healthy grass. One good thing to remember is that the taller the grass, the less effect the spray will have. The best place to stand would be on a cart path or other hard surface.  If you have to apply while on turf, the best place is in the rough because the longer grass has a much better chance of metabolizing the chemicals and surviving.

We understand the need for bug spray; even some of the grounds staff uses it as well. We ask that before you apply, please move to taller grass or to a hard surface such as a cart path. A small thing like this can make a big difference in the appearance of the course. Thank you.

 

 See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org