It's also worth digging around to discover exactly which grubs you have. I knew from some weeding that I had leatherjackets. What I did not know till I undertook some more drastic lawn renovation was that I had chafer grubs also. Actually, I had these in far significant numbers. You require different Nematodes to address the two. You can get a combined offering so you can hit both grubs at one time. Just take some time to find out who the offenders are.
I wasn't aware (although I suspected) that there was no chemical control available to the public for dealing with leatherjackets, but its heartening to know that those little nematode chaps are ready and willing to do the job instead.
I do know that my lawncare company offers treatment to any customer who suffers from leatherjacket infestation, but this may be a chemical method, and it would be cheaper and more environmentally friendly to do it myself.
I'll have a little dig around the affected areas and see what I can find, just to be sure of what I'm dealing with. One day I might even post a pic. ;0)
I have had patches of damage caused by leatherjackets now and then over the years. I can't recall that the same problem occurs in the same place year after year. My course of action is to do nothing. I find the grass soon recovers. You could give the area a good spiking in the spring and dress with some topsoil, then a feed, or feed and weed.
A couple of yrs ago the fields where I walk my dog had huge patches of leatherjacket damage, the following year the grass was fine again.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Thanks, Dave. On the site it says the product is no longer available this year because of falling temperatures, but as soon as it goes on sale again next year I'll buy some.
However...one thing that makes me wonder whether it isn't leatherjacket infestation is that I haven't noticed any birds looking for grubs in the affected areas.
Presumably application of the Nematode treatment can't actually do any harm if the problem isn't being caused by leatherjackets?
If you do some digging around you'll soon find out if you have any grubs. They live in the top two or three inches.
I've also seen adverts for them to be applied in the Spring Although common practice seems to be to apply in the Sept / Oct timeframe but I'm sure it wouldn't do any harm. Just a question of whether it's worthwhile but they are the experts (assuming the pay are not just trying to flog product!).
But yes, have a dig around and see if you can find anything.
I remember those grubs from my childhood. We had a large, ramshackle garden in which years of neglect had merged lawn, brambles, borders and shrubs into a tangled and fascinating mess. We three boys spent many happy hours digging huge holes in the soil of this wildlife haven and unearthing all manner of strange and wonderful creatures.
Little did I know that these fascinating animals would one day become my sworn enemies.
Cheers again. And also for the advice to do nothing, which greatly appeals to my instinctively idle nature.
As it happens we had builders round yesterday installing a woodburning stove, and they used our front lawn, which is where I first noticed the yellowing grass, as their equipment storage and cutting area. It rained all day and where there was once a lawn, the passing of myriad boot-shod feet have now created a mudbath.
I know it will recover, but I can't help worrying about all those poor little creatures which just days ago were happily chewing away at my grass, only to be blitzed overhead by the thunderous impact of all manner of stomping great boots, probably now suffering from headaches which with luck have curbed their appetite for what's left of my grass.
Posts
It's also worth digging around to discover exactly which grubs you have. I knew from some weeding that I had leatherjackets. What I did not know till I undertook some more drastic lawn renovation was that I had chafer grubs also. Actually, I had these in far significant numbers. You require different Nematodes to address the two. You can get a combined offering so you can hit both grubs at one time. Just take some time to find out who the offenders are.
Fascinating stuff.
I wasn't aware (although I suspected) that there was no chemical control available to the public for dealing with leatherjackets, but its heartening to know that those little nematode chaps are ready and willing to do the job instead.
I do know that my lawncare company offers treatment to any customer who suffers from leatherjacket infestation, but this may be a chemical method, and it would be cheaper and more environmentally friendly to do it myself.
I'll have a little dig around the affected areas and see what I can find, just to be sure of what I'm dealing with. One day I might even post a pic. ;0)
Thanks again.
Next question...in case it DOES turn out to be leatherjacket and/ or chafer grub infestation.
Which product to use? I've just had a look on Google and there's a choice available from different manufacturers/ sellers.
Recommendations, please.
Last edited: 15 November 2016 10:01:20
I have had patches of damage caused by leatherjackets now and then over the years.
I can't recall that the same problem occurs in the same place year after year. My course of action is to do nothing.
I find the grass soon recovers.
You could give the area a good spiking in the spring and dress with some topsoil, then a feed, or feed and weed.
A couple of yrs ago the fields where I walk my dog had huge patches of leatherjacket damage, the following year the grass was fine again.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Nemasys Nematodes. I get mine from the Green Gardener (www.greengardener.co.uk)
Thanks, Dave. On the site it says the product is no longer available this year because of falling temperatures, but as soon as it goes on sale again next year I'll buy some.
However...one thing that makes me wonder whether it isn't leatherjacket infestation is that I haven't noticed any birds looking for grubs in the affected areas.
Presumably application of the Nematode treatment can't actually do any harm if the problem isn't being caused by leatherjackets?
If you do some digging around you'll soon find out if you have any grubs. They live in the top two or three inches.
I've also seen adverts for them to be applied in the Spring Although common practice seems to be to apply in the Sept / Oct timeframe but I'm sure it wouldn't do any harm. Just a question of whether it's worthwhile but they are the experts (assuming the pay are not just trying to flog product!).
But yes, have a dig around and see if you can find anything.
Here's the Chafer grubs I found in my lawn
Thanks again, Dave.
I remember those grubs from my childhood. We had a large, ramshackle garden in which years of neglect had merged lawn, brambles, borders and shrubs into a tangled and fascinating mess. We three boys spent many happy hours digging huge holes in the soil of this wildlife haven and unearthing all manner of strange and wonderful creatures.
Little did I know that these fascinating animals would one day become my sworn enemies.
Cheers again. And also for the advice to do nothing, which greatly appeals to my instinctively idle nature.
As it happens we had builders round yesterday installing a woodburning stove, and they used our front lawn, which is where I first noticed the yellowing grass, as their equipment storage and cutting area. It rained all day and where there was once a lawn, the passing of myriad boot-shod feet have now created a mudbath.
I know it will recover, but I can't help worrying about all those poor little creatures which just days ago were happily chewing away at my grass, only to be blitzed overhead by the thunderous impact of all manner of stomping great boots, probably now suffering from headaches which with luck have curbed their appetite for what's left of my grass.