Cast

A digested soil which has been left by an earthworm on a turf surface. Surface casts can be unsightly in large quantities; act as ideal weed seed beds; smother turf; encourage disease; produce reduced quality playing conditions; can cap over and seal off sand slits. They can also affect maintenance activities by, for example, sticking to cylinder mowers and front rollers. The brushing of earthworm casts should only be done in relatively dry conditions, otherwise the cast will just be squashed flat, and will not disperse. There are three main earthworm species which produce surface casts within

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  Chafer Grub

A destructive pest of turf. There are several, at least six, different species of chafer grub. The Cockchafer is probably the most destructive to turf, whilst the Garden chafer will also cause extensive damage. The chafer grubs will eat grass roots and cause the turf to die back and turn brown where there is a high infestation of grubs. Other chafer grubs which might cause occasional and localised damage to turf include Brown Chafer, Summer Chafer and Welsh Chafer. The Rose Chafer grub is unlikely to be a cause of any damage to turf surfaces.

  Chafer Grub Control

A chafer grub might be controlled in a number of ways: 1. Cultural and physical control, especially by aeration and scarification, as this can help to improve air circulation and reduce any thatch blanket that can protect grubs during cold winter weather. Following any egg laying and grub development, the grubs will gradually work their way deeper into the soil ¯ especially by the autumn where they pass into the pupae stage. Try and keep this surface and immediate layer relatively open to the weather.

  Cockchafer

A white grub, about 30 to 40mm in length, with three pairs of front legs. It's head and six legs are light brown in colour, whilst its body is whitish (See Chafer grub for picture). The adult beetle is about 30 to 35mm in length, having a brown body with white stripes. It is also known as the May bug, due to the prominence of the beetles flying about in the month of May, but they are also present in June. The Cockchafer will also fly about at night and is attracted to light. It causes variable amounts of damage to a turf surface, primarily being a minor pest, although localised damage can be quite significant.

  Dog Urine

Dogs may occasionally spray or urinate on lawns and this will scorch the turf surface causing it to go a brownish-yellow colour. If you notice this taking place then give the area a light surface forking and wash through with water; once a lawn has been scorched then carry out the same activity but it the scorching might have killed off the grass plant, in which case reseeding or returfing will need to be carried out.

  Earthworm

A mostly soil dwelling animal, of which the Earthworm Society of Britain currently identify 27 named species in the UK. These are typically allocated into three categories: 1. Epigic: Surface dwellers (that are typically a red colour) of litter, composts and decaying wood. Sometimes the earthworm species which reside in compost heaps or organic waste (such as cow pats) are included in a separate group termed the composters. 2. Endogeic: horizontal burrowers, typically greyish or pinkish in colour. They occur deeper within the soil, expelling their casts within the soil, and rarely, or do not

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  Fox

A mammal with reddish-brown fur. An adult has a typical size of about 65cm in length; being 35cm to shoulder height. The three main problems with foxes are: 1. During the mating season there will often be 'screaming' heard at night as foxes' mate; this can be a considerable nuisance in urban areas. 2. They will dig for earthworms and leatherjackets, and other invertebrates, which can form part of their varied diet. The fox scrapes can result in considerable holes being dug in a turf surface.

  Fox Urine

See Dog Urine; as well as Fox.

  Frit Fly

A small insect (about 2mm in length and black in colour) which can cause damage to agricultural, occasionally to some amenity swards which have low maintenance inputs or newly sown sports turf surfaces.

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  Garden Chafer

A small white grub, 15 to 20mm in length, with three pairs of front legs. The adult beetle is typically up to about 10 to 15mm in length, having a greenish head and abdomen, but with light brown wing cases. The chafer has a life cycle of one-year, is typically active during May and June, especially during the daytime, but will typically settle down at dusk, unlike the Cockchafer. Its scientific name is Phyllopertha horticola, and also has another common name of Bracken clock. For the control of Garden Chafer grubs, see Chafer Grub Control.