Lawn Grubs

Common Lawn Grubs in the Nottingham area are Chafer Grub and Leather Jacket .

Which Grub? Leather Jacket or Chafer Grub?

The most important job is to correctly identify the grub causing the lawn issues. Once completed you can target the pest with the correct type of naturally occurring nematode.

Chafer Grub likes sandy soils, typically Mansfield, Arnold, Calverton into Mapperley and Sherwood could all be affected.

Leather Jacket prefers damp and shady lawns.

What can the damage look like?

For control of Chafer and Leather Jackets see below.

Leather Jacket

Leather Jackets are juvenile crane Fly aka Daddy Long legs. Each Crane fly can lay up to 200 eggs at a time, so you don’t need many egg laying adults visiting your lawn to suffer a big infestation.

The adult crane fly will seek areas which are damp to lay eggs primarily in late August and September. Thatch and compaction are contributors to creating these ideal conditions.

New lawns are especially vulnerable as young root shoots are easier for them too digest, this means that new lawns and housing estates are particularly susceptible to having infestation.

Proactive or Reactive approach?

The best control is achieved by a proactive rather than reactive approach.

An integrated approach tackling the conditions the crane fly prefers to lays its eggs and a preventative application in late September /Early October of its natural nematode predator are key to success.

How does Leather Jacket control work?

The nematodes (Steinernema feltiae), seek out the leatherjackets and attack the pest by entering natural body openings. Once inside, they release bacteria that stops the pest from feeding, quickly killing the pest. The nematodes then reproduce inside the dead pest and release a new generation of hungry infective nematodes, which disperse and search for further prey. Maintaining moisture levels extends this reproductive period.

When should I apply Leather Jacket Killer?

Leather Jackets go through various stages in their life cycle. These stages may take more than a season to complete.

Research shows the best time to apply is Autumn, but if treating in the Spring, apply the nematodes at twice the recommended rate because the grubs will be larger and more resistent to nematode attack.

Once found its best to apply a control product in Autumn and follow the watering requirements.

How often should I apply Leather Jacket Killer?

We recommend that customers in high risk areas treat their lawns in September/October, nematodes will have more success of control of the younger growth stages, preventing the build up of this pest.

It is advisable to treat the lawn for at least two seasons to reduce the population. After that it might be possible not to treat every year. However, if you live in a high risk area you will be exposed to annual infection and so it may be best to treat every year as a precaution.

Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer

Available seasonally from our shop.

Buy Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer from our shop.

More information about Leather Jackets on our blog

or watch our short video

 

Nematodes: What the professional says:

• Use Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer to deal with infestation in lawns.
• Apply when the young leatherjackets are active in the soil, which is typically late August through to the end of October.

Reasons to choose Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer?

• Chemical Free
• Children and pets can be allowed on the area immediately after treatment
• Safe to use on all types of turf
• Will control Leather Jacket grub
• August, September and October

Coverage - Spring Small 50m2 (1/8 tennis court) / Large 250m2 (1/2 tennis court)

Coverage - Autumn Small 100m2 (1/4 tennis court) / Large 500m2 (1 tennis court)

Important notes:

Storage

Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer is a perishable, living product, it should be stored in the fridge until it is needed (pop in the fridge as soon as possible, they are fine on the doormat while you are at work)

When to apply

When you see adult daddy-long-legs in your garden (towards the end of August) you will know that in a few days they will be laying eggs. These will hatch quickly; therefore aim to apply two weeks after you see the adults.

Apply to moist lawns and the soil temperature is above 12ºC, but latest research says September and early October. Immediately after application, water the grass well, this is vital to ensure the nematodes are washed down through the sward to reach the roots to where the Leatherjacket are.

Buy Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer from our shop.

Chafer Grub Killer

Available seasonally from our shop.

Buy Nemasys® Chafer Grub from our shop.

How does Chafer Grub Killer work?

The nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) seek out the chafer grub and attack the pest by entering natural body openings. Once inside, they release bacteria that stops the pest from feeding, quickly killing the pest. The nematodes then reproduce inside the dead pest and release a new generation of hungry effective nematodes, which disperse and search for further prey. Maintaining moisture levels extends this reproductive period.

When should I apply Chafer Grub Killer?

Chafer grubs go through various stages in their life cycle. These stages may take more than a season to complete, its not uncommon to find populations of chafer grubs at different life stages at all times of the year, and will cause more or less damage depending on the season.Once found its best to apply a control product and follow the watering requirements.

How often should I apply Chafer Grub Killer?

We recommend that customers in high risk areas treat their lawns in April/May to prevent the build up of this pest and so reduce the risk of having to re seed the lawn at some point in the future.

It is advisable when first applied to treat the lawn for at least two seasons (spring and autumn) to reduce the population. After that it might be possible to treat as required. However, if you live in a high risk area you will be exposed to annual infection and so it may be best to treat every year as a precaution.

Are their more than one type of Chafer Grub?

Simply put, yes. The common grubs to the UK lawns are:

• Common Garden Chafer - has a 1 year life cycle
• Welsh Chafer - has a 2 year life cycle
• Summer Chafer - has a 2 year life cycle
• Cock Chafer - - has a 3-5 year life cycle

This highlights the need to identify the type of grub you have and repeat treatments annually for at least 2-3 years. Its easier to identify the adult beetle, as to correctly identify the grub, you will need a microscope and view its rear end, we have it on very good authority its the only way!

Nematodes: What the professional says

• Use Nemasys® Chafer Grub Killer to deal with infestation in lawns.
• Apply to moist lawns and the soil temperature is above 12ºC. Immediately after application, water the grass well, this is vital to ensure the nematodes are washed down through the sward to reach the roots to where the chafer grubs are.
• Make sure the lawn does not dry out after applying nematodes. Keep the lawn well watered for at least two weeks.

Reasons to choose Nemasys® Chafer Grub Killer?

• Chemical Free
• Children and pets can be allowed on the area immediately after treatment
• Safe to use on all types of turf
• Use to deal with an Chafer Grub infestation
• Use April/May and August, September and October

Coverage Small 100m2 (1/4 tennis court) / Large 500m2 (1 tennis court)

Important notes

Storage

Nemasys® Chafer Grub is a perishable, living product, it should be stored in the fridge until it is needed (pop in the fridge as soon as possible, they are fine on the doormat while you are at work)

Apply when the grubs are near the surface and the soil temperature is above 12ºC (54ºF), as a guide this would be April/May. Do not apply too late in the Autumn since the grubs start to move down deeper in the soil and become inactive until the following spring. However, as this move downwards is temperature dependent, in some years it may still be ok to apply later.

Buy Nemasys® Chafer Grub from our shop.