Turf Insect Management

Leatherjackets

The recent warm winters have seen an explosive expansion of the Crane fly “Daddy Long legs”. They can be seen in September in grassed areas looking for sites to lay their eggs.

Over the winter months the eggs hatch and the resultant larvae, leatherjackets, literally start to eat through the root system of the lawn with devastating results. It is not uncommon to see examples of lawns totally obliterated as a result of leatherjacket attack. Damage can be seen from January through to April.

Leatherjackets

Chafer Grubs

Chafer Grubs

The garden chafer is the larval stage of the May Bug. They normally cause most damage to lawns in August and September and similarly to the leatherjacket they feed off the plant roots. Normally healthy turf can suddenly wilt and die.

In both leatherjacket and Chafer grub attacks often the first signs of trouble are birds digging in the lawn to feed on the pests, however, other amimals are happy to take advantage of an easy meal. These pictures show damage caused by badgers.

Chafer Grub Damage Cirencester Badger Damage Cirencester

In both leatherjacket and Chafer grub attacks often the first signs of trouble are birds digging in the lawn to feed on the pests.

Chafer Grubs
Chafer Grubs

Ants

Ants can be a major irritant on lawns during the spring and summer. They don’t cause problems in themselves but their home building can leave bumps on the lawn which when squashed as a result of mowing leave large soil caps on the surface.

Ants

Lawn Care Advice

Our lawn care advice articles are here to help you understand more about how to manage some of the common issues affecting lawns. If you have any lawn treatment enquiries or require any of our lawn care services, please contact us today. Click any of the lawn care advice articles below to read more.

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