Lawns.

gsdfandf · February 2023

Hi all,
Sections of our lawn are slowly being destroyed by crows digging for chaffer grubs/beetles. This has never happened before in the 10 yrs we've been here. I'm told it's pointless treating the areas at this time of the year, (by our regular lawn care specialists?) There are tufts of dead grass scattered over areas where they are digging,

any advice welcomed.
I realise the crows are doing a service by eating the grubs, it just the fact that they don't have any table manners. Is there anything that can be done, prior to treating the lawn, later in the season, to kill the grubs at this time of year.

Any advice most welcome.

bédé · February 2023

At a St Andrews golf course I have watched the groundsmen going around every day replanting the divots with a handfull of, probably, good soil.

Not the advice you wanted to hear, but if you want match quality, that is what you have to do. Otherwise it may look worse than it actually is; the grass should grow to fill the gaps.

Dovefromabove · February 2023

I think the nematode treatment for chafer grubs is temperature dependent, so it can't be used until the weather warms up. I'd follow the advice from these people

https://www.nematodesdirect.co.uk/11-chafer-grub-killer-nematodes

I've used their products for other types of nematode treatment and found them reliable.

Fairygirl · February 2023

It's probably leatherjackets they're after. We don't get much bother with them here as they tend not to survive well enough to cause much trouble, but the last 18 months of much warmer conditions, and another mild winter, has meant they're a bit more apparent. I've seen quite a few lawns which have had the crow/magpie 'attention'. I noticed another one when I was out earlier. It's when conditions are suitable for crane flies to lay eggs and for the lifecycle to get underway, that it's a bit of a drag.
I don't think there's any product which deters them as such, but if there is, it's not something I've ever needed. If you use a lawncare firm, I'm sure they wouldn't hesitate to use something - more money for them

Probably just raking off the sprigs of turf/moss and composting or binning them, is about as much as you can do just now.

Lyn · February 2023

@gsdfandf. nice to see you popping in again.🙂

My daughter is plagued with chafer grubs, she has a subscription with some nematode company, they just send them to her when it’s the right time to use them, twice a year.
I think most places will do that.
They do work though but it’s an ongoing thing, not a one off.

Fairygirl · February 2023

Apologies - I always forget about chafer grubs as we don't get them here. If it's definitely those I'd follow @Lyn and @Dovefromabove's advice.

Nematodes aren't always much use for anything either here, because of the temperature requirements. Always too late by the time the ground warms up.
It depends whether you feel the expense is worthwhile too.

gsdfandf · February 2023

Hi Lyn, yes I've popped up again, bad apple etc,

Thanks to all for the replies & the link from Dovefromabove, I'll follow up on that. I recall seeing a picture last year of a university grounds, totally devoid of the green stuff, scary.

rossdriscoll13 · February 2023

@gsdfandf if you need to reseed your lawn you need to use a seed mix with over 50% red or creeping fescues and the rest rye. Chafer grubs eat the grass roots but with red/creeping fescue the roots are deep thwarting the chafer grubs. You can also minimise the chances of your lawn being infested with chafers by aerating, scarifying, fertilising and mowing your lawn. Also, as you’ve already said, the crows are doing you a service by ridding you of the problem. Although they do create another one.

Lawns.

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