Beschreibung:
<jats:p>Soil‐dwelling white grubs cause damage by feeding on turf roots, but vertebrate predation of grubs can cause extensive damage, even at low population densities. As a result, golf course superintendents may use insecticides to reduce white grub populations regardless of population densities. This research explores the potential to deter vertebrates from white grub‐infested areas by applying Milorganite, a turf fertilizer derived from human biosolids. The study was conducted on rough‐height Kentucky bluegrass (<jats:italic>Poa pratensis</jats:italic> L.) at two different golf courses in Wisconsin in 2008. The fertilizer was applied once at 16.1 or 48.8 kg N ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, and vertebrate damage was rated weekly for 4 wk. All control plots received some damage from vertebrate predation. The high and low rates of Milorganite reduced damage from vertebrate predation compared with the nontreated control, but there were minimal differences between rates. These findings suggest that biosolid‐based fertilizers may deter vertebrate predators of white grubs and could provide an alternative to insecticide treatment. The feasibility of this practice remains unclear and would depend on the residual efficacy and required reapplication interval of the products applied.</jats:p>