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Chafer grubs

Lynda EllisLynda Ellis Posts: 6
in Problem solving

I have an infestation of chafer grubs in my lawn. The blackbirds are having a feast, but my lawn is looking very patchy and dead. Any ideas on how to rid my garden of these pests?

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    leave it to the blackbirds?



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • muddy maremuddy mare Posts: 106

    you could lay down some polythene over the obvious infested areas the polythene heat brings the grubs to the surface in the mornings collect up and disposeimage

  • john.pauline5ndkch8ujohn.pauline5ndkch8u Posts: 1
    Does jeyes fluid kill them ?
    I have ordered nematodes to kill them but still waiting for them to be delivered
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    john.pauline5ndkch8u said:
    Does jeyes fluid kill them ?
    I have ordered nematodes to kill them but still waiting for them to be delivered
    Are you sure they are chafer grubs and not leatherjackets? It’s a bit early to treat chafer grubs and definitely too early for leatherjackets. If in doubt you can get a mixed nematode application to treat both. Best time to apply is September. You must keep the soil moist for 2 weeks from application to allow the nematodes to live and target their prey. 
  • Victoria44Victoria44 Posts: 22
    Arrggghhhh! We have a serious infestation of chafer grubs. Question: we are taking the top dead turf off the lawn - could this go onto the compost heap? It does not look like any grubs are in it but would they survive and breed in the compost heap if there were? 
    Help wanted please!
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited September 2022
    Search for a chafer grub thread earlier this year.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,539
    edited September 2022
    This thread might help @Victoria44 when it comes to dealing with them, 
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1061490/chafer-grubs-in-lawn/p1

    but l can't answer your question about the composting l'm afraid. My instinct would be to get rid of the turf altogether but that maybe because l'm paranoid. 
    Re my post in the above thread, the foxes are still digging up the same places in the front lawn, and have been all year 🙄🦊.

    Edited to add, looking at your photo, l'm wondering if they are actually leather jacket grubs ? Chafer grubs are lighter coloured l think.
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