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Leather jackets
Jill Coking
Posts: 3
Why can't I use Steinernema Feltiae now and not wait until the autumn when the craned flies will have hatched?
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Posts
I think it's because they'll be more effective against newly hatched larvae (eggs are laid early autumn), but I see your point. You really want to get at them now. I suspect the nematodes are more effective against smaller larvae, growing up with them, as it were! HC
Thanks for the advice, I have now read that it is possible to get rid of the leather jackets by scraping away the dead grass and covering the patches with black plastic which will draw them out of the ground - hopefully this will work will report back
I think that works particularly well if you give the lawn a good soaking first.
At least your garden birds will be in for a good treat!
Good luck
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I cut the grass and then covered all patches with black plastic yesterday afternoon, didn't give it a soaking first, had a look this morning, not sure what I am looking for, how long should I leave the plastic covers? Would it be a good idea to remove plastic give the lawn a soaking and then replace plastic?