It’s hard to keep insects from feeding on the roots and grass blades of natural putting greens. That can weaken or kill the turf, resulting in poor and inconsistent ball roll quality. Both are bad for short games and putting practice. Pesticides can help, but they don’t work on all pests and they tend to wear out. If you’re looking for a more permanent way to keep your green pest-free, why not replace your turf with Kansas City artificial grass?
Why Install Artificial Grass Instead of Using Pesticides?
Pesticides are not a sustainable way to keep your putting greens pest-free. They work by killing bugs or preventing them from multiplying. However, they wear off after some time and the bugs come back eventually. This means that you have to keep spraying pesticides over and over again to keep your putting green pest-free.
The chemicals in pesticides are toxic—not only for insects but also for people. If someone who plays on your putting green inhales fumes from them or gets in contact with residue on the grass, they can get sick.
Moreover, pesticides can slowly degrade soil quality, which will affect natural grass growth. It can also seep into the ground and poison nearby water reservoirs and marine ecosystems.
On the other hand, Kansas City artificial grass is not hospitable for pests. It doesn’t have any roots or leaves for them to feed on, so they don’t like it as much. Likewise, bugs can’t take shelter in it or turn it into their breeding grounds. So most of them tend to steer clear of synthetic turf putting greens.
Common Putting Green Pests That Don’t Like Artificial Grass
Once you install synthetic turf, these bugs will stop stopping by or damaging your putting green.
White Grubs
White grubs, or larvae, have a voracious appetite for the roots of grass, which can kill natural putting greens. They’re often found in damp soil and prefer to eat the roots of cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, that are at least partially shaded by trees.
Chafer Grubs
Chafer grubs are white grubs that live in dry grasses. They usually come out at night, when they’re less likely to run into predators. They eat their way through the roots of the grass.
Leatherjackets
Leatherjackets are beetles that fly around during the day and eat at plant roots at night. They thrive and breed in greens that are always moist from an irrigation or sprinkler system. Fortunately, Artificial turf in Kansas City can prevent that with its great drainage.
Chinch Bugs
Chinch bugs are small, brown bugs that burrow into the ground. They feed on the roots of grasses, which can lead to stunted growth, poor color and even death.
Sod Webworms
Sod webworms are also known as sod web-spinning caterpillars. They feed on grass blades and burrow into the ground, eating away at the root system. These worms often leave trails of webbing wherever they go.
Cutworms
Cutworms are caterpillars that emerge from eggs laid by adult moths. They can be greenish or brownish with white stripes running down their backs. These worms can eventually kill off entire patches of turf if left unchecked.
Pest-Proof Your Putting Green With Synthetic Grass in Kansas City
If you’re in the market for premium synthetic turf for your putting green, look no further than Kansas City Artificial Grass. We guarantee that all our turf products are pest-proof and free of issues like mud balls. They also offer the same ball roll quality as pro-level courses.
You can also count on our team for expert landscaping solutions and installation services. If you have any questions about our products or services, send us a message online today. We’d be happy to help you out!