Long-term protection against Chafer grubs Merit Turf Long lasting treatment of Chafer grubs and Leatherjackets
Introducing Merit Turf For the control of Chafer grubs and Leatherjackets Merit Turf is a granular insecticide for the control of Chafer grubs and Leatherjackets on golf courses, race courses, bowling greens, cricket grounds, parks and sports grounds, commercial and residential lawns, athletic fields and other managed amenity turf situations. The Problem There has been an increasing problem with high infestations of Chafer grubs and Leatherjackets. Feeding on the roots of turfgrass plants, these turf pests can cause the plants to die, resulting in a straw coloured appearance. In the most severe cases, the turf surface will actually come away from the ground and peel off like a carpet being lifted. This can be made worse by foxes, badgers or birds living nearby which will easily tear up the unstable turf to feed on the Chafer grubs and Leatherjackets. Sports turf is most at risk from these pests as they can cause catastrophic damage to the playing surface which may take an entire season to rectify. Merit Turf offers: Long term preventative and curative control from one application per year Improvement to turf quality ast acting F proven chemistry Due to the issues with products containing active ingredients of the neonicotinoid chemical group in 2013 and the subsequent two year suspension of products containing certain actives (Clothianidin, Imidacloprid or Thiamethoxam), Turf Managers are uncertain about which insecticides they are still permitted to use. However Imidacloprid is still approved for use on managed amenity and sports turf and isn t affected by the ban because managed turf grass is non-flowering. Therefore, Merit Turf which has an approval for use on managed amenity and sports turf can be used for professional use. Expert view Dr Colin Mumford Bayer Chafer grubs and Leatherjackets can cause untold damage if left unchecked. Managing their control is as important as any other operation carried out to maintain a good quality playing surface. Merit Turf gives you the control you need. Image for illustration purposes only, pack may vary 02 03
Application of Merit Turf The Solution Taking an annual approach to Chafer grub and Leatherjacket control helps reduce the issues which can arise through an infestation by these larvae. Understanding the different pest species and their lifecycles can help gain an insight into the best methods of treatment. Chafer grub control There are four common species of Chafer grubs in the UK; the Cockchafer, the Garden Chafer, the Summer Chafer and the Welsh Chafer. These all have differing lifecycles and present a key challenge at multiple stages of their lifecycle. The most effective control for Chafer grubs is to apply an insecticide treatment like Merit Turf preventatively, when the beetles are laying their eggs. This tends to be in late spring and can be anytime from the end of April through to July. A turf professional may need to apply an insecticide at this time of year, for several years depending on the species of Chafer and level of infestation as not all grubs will be eradicated with just one application. Merit Turf controls Leatherjacket control Leatherjackets (Tipula spp) are a common pest of lawns and protected ornamentals. The larval adult stage can cause extensive damage to turf roots. Adults emerge from June onwards but are most abundant in late summer or early autumn. Most eggs are laid just below ground level from mid- August to the end of September; eggs hatch about 14 days later. Merit Turf should be applied prior to the eggs hatching when the adult crane flies are visible as this is when they will be laying eggs. Merit Turf requires accurate and even application with calibrated equipment. Adequate water needs to be applied immediately after application. This process is critical for the successful control as it moves the granule through the thatch, to the top layers of the soil where the Chafer grubs hatch. Moving the product to the target zone also prevents degradation by sunlight. Application rates and equipment Vehicle-mounted Spreader Rate per hectare Rate per 100m 2 Hand Spreader Rate per 500m 2 30kg 300g 1.5kg Merit Turf should not be bulked up with fertiliser or sand at the time of application. As these materials have varying densities they will prevent an even spread of the product which is essential for effective control. DO NOT APPLY MERIT TURF when it is raining or in windy conditions. Timing Timing of Merit Turf application Preventative AND curative (up to 2nd instar larvae) action against Chafer grubs and Leatherjackets Fast acting proven chemistry Recommended application equipment; Hand held, drop type and rotary type spreaders can be used to apply Merit Turf. Bayer s list of recommended spreaders includes; EarthWay s EV-N-SPRED Flex Select spreader Amtec drop spreader SS-2 drop spreader TMA 2 applicator Please see for more information. Season long control with very flexible application timings Main usage period Chafer grubs Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Main usage period Leatherjackets Garden Chafer (Phyllopertha horticola) Summer Chafer (Amphimallon solstitialis) Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) Leatherjacket (Tipula spp) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Months given are approximate, weather dependant: +/- month 04 05
Frequently Asked Questions Which machines are recommended to apply Merit Turf? Merit Turf must be applied uniformly over the area to be treated. Pedestrian spreaders are used for treatment of smaller areas or powered spreaders for larger areas. For full details please see the calibration sheet at: How is the product applied? What are the safety issues to the water and fish? Merit Turf should be used in accordance with the label. It is harmful to fish so water contamination must be avoided. Can it be used in high water table areas? Yes, but avoid application when the turf areas are waterlogged or the soil is saturated with water. When is the best time to treat pests? Application of Merit Turf should be made prior to the anticipated pest infestation to achieve optimum results. Chafer grubs should be controlled with an application made in late spring/early summer when you see adult beetles flying about, as this is the time they will be laying eggs. A preventative treatment for Leatherjackets should be made in late summer/early autumn. Merit Turf is formulated as a granule, therefore, must be applied with a granular applicator. Does Merit Turf need rain/irrigation after application? Yes, the granule will need to be washed through the thatch immediately after application, be it by rain or irrigation. Are there any effects on birds/mammals eating the chafer grubs/leatherjackets? No, so long as label recommendations are followed. Can it be applied to garden lawns? Yes, but it must be applied by a professional lawn contractor. Can it be mixed with fertiliser or sand for bulking up purposes? Merit Turf should be applied as recommended. The granule should not be bulked up with fertiliser or sand at application, because of the different densities of these materials. How does Merit Turf improve turf quality? How much water is required to get the chemical into the treated area? There must be sufficient water to move the granule through the thatch, thoroughly wetting the upper layer of the soil. The amount of water will vary, depending on the thickness of the thatch and the moisture level of the thatch/soil. Roughly 5 to 10mm of water (10mm for heavily thatched turf) should be applied. What happens if Merit Turf doesn t get washed through the thatch? Optimum results will not be attained if the product is not delivered into the soil to where the target pests are present. Merit Turf should be applied as recommended on the label with sufficient irrigation to move the active ingredient through the thatch, wetting the top inch of the soil. Merit Turf is light sensitive, leading to reduced efficacy if exposed to UV light (sunlight) for any length of time. How long after application should children/adults/animals (e.g. cats and dogs) be kept off the treated area? They should be kept off the treated area until after the granule has been washed through the thatch and no granule remains on the surface. How soon after application can I mow the lawn? Avoid mowing the turf until after irrigation or rainfall has occurred so that uniformity of application will not be affected. Is it necessary to wear personal protective equipment during application? Yes, Merit Turf should be used in accordance with the label. Please consult the product label for the most up to date Operator Protection requirements. Once the turf pests have been eradicated with Merit Turf, the grass plant is able to re-establish a good root system enabling it to gain better access to the water and nutrients in the soil. Resulting in good growth and visibly healthier turf. 06 07
Our mission: Bayer: Science For A Better Life Bayer is an inventor company with a long tradition of research. By applying science to the major global challenges, we deliver innovations that address unmet customer and market needs. Merit Turf Bayer s answer to long term control of Chafer grubs and Leatherjackets. To find your local distributor and for further information call 00800 1214 9451 or visit Download the New TurfXpert app NOW! Bayer CropScience Ltd 230 Cambridge Science Park Milton Road Cambridge CB4 0WB Tel: 00800 1214 9451 Fax: 01223 226635 Email: amenity@bayer.com FREE Available as a FREE download for iphone and Android, get the Bayer TurfXpert app by scanning the QR code below. MERIT TURF CONTAINS 5g/kg IMIDACLOPRID. USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE. PAY ATTENTION TO THE RISK INDICATIONS AND FOLLOW THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON THE LABEL. TRIPLE RINSE CONTAINERS AT TIME OF USE, PUNCTURE AND INVERT TO DRY. (MAPP 12415) (PCS 02896)