Why Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets can mean trouble for your lawn
All you need to know about Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets.
During September and October, Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets are at large around the UK.
Usually, the only way to eliminate them is with your local lawn care expert, like those at TruGreen Professional Lawn Care UK.
But what on earth are Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets?
Have a read below to find out.
Chase away the Chafer Grubs
Chafer Grubs are the larvae of Chafer beetles.
These soil-dwelling grubs feed on either decaying plant material or plant roots, including your precious grass.
The type of species depends on what they feed on.
But the garden chafer bug (Phyllopertha Horticola) is the usual culprit of issues we see, as this species feeds specifically on grassroots.
Leatherjackets are out of fashion
When someone asks you what a Leatherjacket is, most of you will think of going to your local shopping centre and buying one!
The Leatherjackets that infect lawns are different.
Leatherjackets (Tipula spp.) are the larvae of Crane Flies (Daddy Long Legs).
Like Chafer Grubs, they also feed on areas of your garden, including your lovely lawn.
How do you know if you have an infestation of Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets:
- Patches of your lawn may go a yellowish colour.
- The infestations are usually localised and scattered.
- Birds will be pecking at your lawn, especially members of the crow family, such as crows, magpies and jays.
- Badgers and foxes love to get their paws on these juicy bugs, so dig up the lawn to get to them.
If you spot any of the above, call your local TruGreen expert.
Overnight Leatherjacket check
One extra tip to check for Leatherjackets is to soak a patch that you may think is infected with water and then place an opaque object over the soaked patch to stop the light from getting through.
Leave this overnight and check in the morning.
If your garden is infected, Leatherjackets will be on the surface.
If you believe you have Leatherjackets on your lawn, call your local TruGreen expert today, and we will treat where necessary and again repair the infected area.
How TruGreen deals with lawn pests
We are leading the way in professional lawn care by using Acelepryn to tackle lawn pests.
Newly registered for use in lawn care, this insecticide provides exceptional broad-spectrum control of root-eating pests like Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets without harming non-targets on the plant and soil.
Acelepryn is pet-friendly, fast-acting and affords your lawn a quick recovery from just one treatment a year with minimal aftercare required.
Need professional lawn pest control?
Acelepryn is a new product in lawn care, and for a limited time, its innovative and efficient pest control solution can only be applied by TruGreen UK.
Whatever the needs of your slice of paradise, your local expert will provide a free 14-point analysis of your lawn and draw up a treatment plan unique to you.
If you suspect lawn pests like Chafer Grubs or Leatherjackets, call us on 0800 021 3074 or find your nearest TruGreen business to book your free consultation.
