Leather Jackets
alexismacron
Posts: 4
Hello everybody. I would not say that I am a keen gardener, but I like when the lawn looks good. Unfortunately, in the autumn 2015, the turf disappeared completely, slowly but surely munched away by leather jackets.
I had the better of them and started a new lawn from scratch. I know that the nematodes will do the job. My question is more about the origin.
For some reason, the leather jackets were crawling on the slabs by wet weather,and they seem attracted by the water butt. Last year I did not clean it as often as I should have and I suspect it became a breeding station for daddy long legs. Hot and humid, as I suspect they like.
Is there any viable possibility that I created that invasion of leather jackets by watering the garden with rain water from the water butt, and spreading the eggs at this occasion?
If so, is it possible to get rid off these daddy long legs eggs inside the water butt, before the damage is done?
Any contribution would be much appreciated.
Posts
Hi Alexis - I don't think that's what happened, but I have very little experience of leather jacket issues here. My understanding is that the crane flies lay their eggs in the ground (the grass) and the the larvae emerge to do their worst, so the water from the butt shouldn't have any impact. Mosquitoes like the rim of the waterbutt - you often see those round the upper edge in the warm bits, hence the reason for using a lid.
I'm prepared to be corrected on it though!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl is right Alexis. Craneflies do not lay their eggs in water butts they lay in the grass. Mosquitoes do lay eggs in water. Craneflies will always return to the same patch of grass so lots of treatment will be necessary until the life cycles are broken. If you encourage birds into your garden by having lots of feeders around, their control will be helpful - especially the starlings who are ace leather jacket hunters!
I had an adult leatherjacket on the patio today. My nematodes aren't due to arrive till 20th Sept so fingers crossed not too much damage is being done at the moment. They devastated 75% of the lawn last year.
It really is important to keep waterbutts closely covered at all times otherwise they are a breeding-ground for all sorts of nasties.
Often the real damage to lawns is done by the rooks and starlings digging up the leatherjackets.
Good question Verdun. It's the first time I've ordered these and I did it on-line and recall a drop-down menu of delivery dates. Not sure if I picked that one based on what I had read-up on or whether that was the first date available. I'll check the order and see if I can bring it forward as you say. Thanks
I just checked and delivery is the (week of) 12th Sept (not 20th as I thought). This is the date offered by the supplier - Green Gardener. I have sent them an email to see if there is any option to bring this forward.
Thank you very much for your contributions. It has been very helpful.
I applied the nematodes a couple of days ago. They had done a good job the first time round. Hopefully they will do the same.
A good clean of the water butt could probably do some good.