pesky pests

Pesky Pests in Autumn

This summer has provided a mixture of long, hot days and at times heavy downpours, providing ideal conditions for pesky pests such as Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets to breed.

The Pesky Pests

There are two main lawn pests that thrive during the autumn months;

  • Chafer Grub – The larvae of the Chafer Beetle, also known as a May Bug
  • Leatherjackets – The larvae of the crane fly, also known as a daddy long longs

Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets are the most common of all lawn pests and they feed on the roots of turf grasses, causing the plant to die back and have a straw-coloured appearance.

It is important that any infestations are treated during the autumn, preferably at the larvae stage to achieve the most efficient treatment.

If the infestation is left the larvae will have time to develop and the treatments will become less effective, resulting in major damage to your lawn.

Pesky Pest Treatment

Through the biological application of nematodes, these pesky pests that feed off the roots of the grass plant can be controlled.

  • The pesky pests will stop feeding within 3 days of the treatment application
  • The infestation will be fully controlled between 10-14 days after the treatment

Preventing Pesky Pests

The main way to prevent lawn pests from breeding is to regularly scarify your lawn.

Scarifying helps by removing the thatch layer that could potentially be protecting pests by shielding them from any treatments.

If pest control is necessary yet the lawn has a thatch layer greater than 50mm, we would advise that scarification and aeration would be beneficial prior to the pest control treatment being applied.

This is because those pesky pests don’t only feed on the roots of the plant, but organic matter as well. Therefore, the removal of the thatch not only removes part of their food source but increases the quality of the overall treatment.

If you notice any kind of infestation or need any other lawn services don’t hesitate to contact your local TruGreen lawncare technician here.