Birds

Birds can cause two main problems on turf surfaces.

Firstly, where grubs such as chafer grubs or leatherjacket grubs are present within a turf sward, they can peck anything from small areas to large areas. They mainly affect the surface layer, especially if it is a turf surface with an undesirable depth of thatch, especially 12mm or greater.

Secondly, where grass seed has been sown then some birds, especially pigeons can deseed an area to quite an extent. Protection of newly seeded areas by top-dressing helps to reduce the extent of seed loss to birds. Prior to seeding the use of a seed drill, scarification, and also aeration, can all help to create voids into which seed falls and can be partially protected from bird scavenging.