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Lawn pest identification

shaun12345shaun12345 Posts: 3
edited February 2022 in Problem solving
Hi new to this forum, hoping someone could help.
Just moved into a property and the lawn was over 12 inches tall. I cut the lawn with a strimmer and racked up the grass, problem is whilst doing so i was treading in the long grass into the soil.
Anyway this turned into a bit of a mess.
I decided i was going to extend the patio anyway and will seed the lawn after this. 
I started digging the lawn this morning only to find loads and loads of these tiny maggots/white worms in the lawn, they are very small, i would say maggot legnth but very skinny.
I would like to know if anyone know what they are and if i need to do anything about them, i have attached photos. 
Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    This is a complete guess, but l'm wondering if they're the very early stages of chafer grubs.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    That was my first thought, too, but they should be much bigger by now. I think you need to clear all the dead material from the area to give you a clear view of the lawn. Then you can assess its state. The grubs may be feeding on the rotting grass rather than the roots.
  • shaun12345shaun12345 Posts: 3
    Thank you, i have now cleared the lawn with a rake which is nearly bare!!! I kept finding these even 2 inches below the surface when digging the patio.
    Thanks for your replies 
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Is it @wild edges who knows all the bugs and things?
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Sorry, that hasn't worked. I will try again. @wild edges
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    No, can't do it. You need an expert  though.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    @wild edges
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    It worked ! Can you help please @wild edges ?
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    It's nice to feel wanted :D
    I'd have a guess at bibionid fly larvae but it's hard to tell without a detailed photo. Bibionids are things like St Mark's fly. I think they do a bit of root damage but nothing too bad. I find groups of them like this now and then but I've never noticed them cause problems.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • shaun12345shaun12345 Posts: 3
    Perfect,  thankyou everyone for your comments. 
    Take care
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