Essential Commodities. They are the larvae of the cock chafer (or Maybug), garden chafer and Welsh chafer. Registered office: ProKleen, Tayson House, Methley Road, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 1PA, GB. You can always just re-sow your grass that’s been damaged and hope the chafer beetles don’t come back to lay eggs. European Chafers give little warning before they devastate your lawn. Step 2 Determine the Infestation Level The critters love moist soil and will make their way upwards towards the surface if that’s where the water is. Note all … Chafer grubs live underground in the soil, where they devour plant roots. Treatment should occur in Autumn, usually between August and October when the grubs are most active. This has been tested by a universtiy and can kill up to 50 per cent of the shallower lying grubs. Capable of causing serious damage to your green space, these lawn grubs are important to stay aware of just in case you happen to come across an inexplicably weak or straw-coloured grass area in your garden. Cut out a C-shape in your lawn and check underneath the turf for chafer grubs or leatherjackets. Unfortunately, that’s about it. They can cause problems on any grassed area including lawns by feeding on the roots of grass plants. Being a nosy neighbour also helps. larvae of the European Chafer beetle. Sign up to our newsletter to get VIP access to our latest special offers, news and sales! In autumn, the larvae have begun to mature slightly and will be eating more readily, causing grass discolouration or death. Milky spore is a spreadable bacteria known as Bacillus popilliae that can be used … Check for grubs. Additionally, the grubs will be close to the surface of the soil, making them easy pickings for birds and other wildlife; therefore, if you notice your lawn is getting more attention from the creatures of the local environment, you might have a chafer grub issue. Keep an eye out for increased wildlife activity in your garden to stay on top of this. Need help? There are different kinds of nematodes for different grubs, so make sure you look for the right kind depending on the grubs you find. There are very few ways of getting rid of chafer grubs, none of which are perfect. How to Get Rid of Chafer Beetles Meet the nematodes – microscopic organisms that attack developing chafer larvae, dramatically reducing their population. Your lawn will start to look noticeably sparse or it may appear blotchy and yellow before disappearing altogether. It’ll also kill the grass which is the Chafer Grubs food supply. Nematode chafer grub treatment is entirely safe for pets, children and the environment despite the intimidating name, there are just a couple of points to keep in mind if you want to use this method to address your concerns. They’re the offspring of the otherwise harmless chafer beetle (commonly known as June bugs in the States). If you find any patches of loose turf that have been dug up, check the soil underneath. Chafer Grubs: These are young maggot-like larvae before they hatch into chafer beetles. If your lawn is going through a chafer grub infestation, birds, pests and even foxes will be attracted by the promise of nutritious food. Treating Grubs Naturally 1. In most cases, this is a diluted chemical solution which contains a specific species (Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora) of parasitic worm, or nematode. One of the major signs of a grub infestation is irregularly shaped brown patches of dead... 2. How to get rid of chafer grubs; What do chafer grubs look like? They inhabit soil and feed on plant matter, generally hatching in August. It's tricky but this should get rid of the grubs and stop birds from going after your golf course. Grimmediately. In this case, the nematodes infect the chafer grubs with lethal bacteria and then reproduce, infecting more chafer grubs until all of them died. The Garden Chafer has an annual lifecycle whereas the Cockchafer is larger and more destructive because it lives in the soil for 3 years, eating roots, before it hatches. Part of Hygiene Supplies Direct Ltd. Since the European Chafer Beetle grubs eat the roots of grasses, having an infestation can result in a completely destroyed lawn with the dirt underneath the grass churned and writhing with grubs, and the outer grasses brown and dying from lack of root life. If you only have a small number of grubs in your lawn, you don’t need to worry. That’s the kicker. If you have a large infestation though, the sheer quantity of these critters combined mean that they can devastate a lawn in a matter of months. Strengthening grass with iron sulphate is a far more cost-effective method of dealing with chafer grubs as it reduces the chances of you getting them in the first place. Dig around the roots in damaged areas—especially in late fall through spring and look for … The adults range from 9 to 39 mm in length and have different coloured heads and wing cases. No, it shouldn't damage your shrubs unless you use far, far too much of it. April - June - Visit your local garden centre and pick up some nematodes. Looks like even more in May - July when the grubs come to the surface. The adults emerge between the end of May and July depending on the weather conditions in spring. How to Get Rid of Wood Sorrel Weed Grubs are the larval stage of many varieties of beetles that lay their eggs in the earth. They need to be used within a few weeks of purchase, or they’ll die. Decide if you need to treat. What are the damages? Even if you were happy to use chemical pesticides, there currently aren’t any available legally that work on chafer grubs. There are multiple chafer grub treatments which can work if you have identified an infestation or attack. One of the most popular is to introduce parasitic nematodes into your lawn, which can be purchased online or at garden stores (they’re alive, so buy right before you plan to use … It’s highly likely the beetles will be after some fresh new grass to lay eggs under when mating season comes! Or just shake the plant lightly, it dislodges lots of these beetles. Chafer Grubs can go undetected for a long time, with the lawn gradually becoming weaker due to the grubs feeding on the roots. But take heart: if it’s white grubs, you’ve at least got a nice supply of fish bait for the summer. All fields are required, Get Rid of Chafer Grubs – Cures and Prevention, How clean is your car? The European Chafer, or Japanese Beetles, or whatever else. However, they aren’t cheap, so if you’ve got a decent sized lawn expect to pay upwards of £60 to get enough nematodes to do the job. Unlike a lot of other pests, you’re never really safe from them, as their long life cycles mean they essentially feed all year round, lay eggs then die, and the cycle begins again. If your lawn has been ruined as a result … By following the same steps as above and removing your current lawn, you can successfully treat your chafer grub problems and then install artificial grass instead of natural turf. If you’re noticing a lot of birds pecking away at your lawn, and you haven’t put any food out there for them, that’s a dead giveaway. Lawn grubs have soft bodies with legs near the head. Regular maintenance means a stronger lawn, which means it’s easier to stave off infestations. Typical lawn grubs, often called white grubs, are white, C-shaped beetle larvae about a half inch in length. Use Milky Spore. I have a paddock of about an acre and they have infested the whole paddock !! Use fertilizer with high potassium and enough nitrogen. Garlic Spray. ... How to get rid of Chafer Beetle: While it is likely that the infestation is here to stay, there are some options that can be used in attempts at … ... Get rid of those gross grubs that gorge on your grass. Can I use nematodes to get rid of them? These pests live underground and feed on grass roots, meaning your nicely-tended lawn is like a permanent breakfast in bed for them! By the time they realise what’s really going on, it could be too late! This means they'll have no effect on plants at all. I am worried the grubs are eating the roots of my plant. Chafer grubs are a nightmare for avid gardeners – particularly those with sweeping, perfectly kept lawns. They’ll also lay their eggs there, and when those grubs hatch they live underground for months eating – you guessed it – the roots of your grass! Grubs feed on grass roots which will cause dead grass on your lawn that will lift like a piece of carpet if pulled. Chafer grubs are the larvae of the chafer beetle. Nematodes need to be applied to moist soil in affected areas during August and early October when the soil temperatures are in excess of 12 o C (54 o F) and the grubs are active. It isn’t quick or efficient, but there is a chance the beetles will lay their eggs elsewhere the next year. If you want to learn more, consider requesting one of our free artificial grass samples to see for yourself; or, alternatively, contact us for bespoke advice tailored to your needs. You can order Nematodes on the Internet or find them in a cooler at your garden centre. Alternatively, you can choose to completely replace your lawn and starve the grubs out of the soil. If it's dead with a lot of bare patches, you'll need to sow some new seed. Follow the directions in this article and you’ll not only rid your lawn of Leatherjackets, you’ll prevent future invasions. The ground often feels spongy, and the lawn can be rolled up if heavily infested. They vary in size from around 10 – 40mm, gradually growing as they age and eat. And is this ok for my plants ? Chafer grubs are caterpillar-like creatures with plump greyish-white bodies and light brown heads. A grub may be the larvae of the masked chafer, European chafer (pictured), Japanese beetle or other beetle species. 3. Artificial Lawn Company is a registered trademark. Below is a fantastic video, produced by Spring-Green Lawncare, that gives some practical types for identifying grubs and treating problem areas on your lawn. I’d love to see your before and after pictures. There is no immediate effect but over time (years) it will reduce the grub population. Damage appears in late summer or fall as irregular patches of brown, dying grass. To use this approach: This method is quite labour intensive but can be the best option if your lawn has been severely damaged by the infestation or the local wildlife. The best way to get rid of grubs is with a preventative grub control application. This will remove the foodstuff that chafer grubs rely on, preventing any future infestations whilst also offering improved durability, weather resistance, and weed resistance. Artificial Lawn Company has been at the forefront of developing artificial grass specifically for gardens,landscape and play. Every method of getting rid of chafer grubs has some significant drawbacks. This Is particularly effective if you have thriving local wildlife, as the grubs will rise to the surface of the soil over time and will be eaten by the birds and other creatures in the area. Also try getting a pair of lawn aeration spiked shoes and once a week walk the lawn. Actually, a lot of insects can’t stand garlic spray. We have cultivated a full range of the highest quality, most realistic synthetic turf currently available. They can become a major problem – especially in lawns. When you do find evidence of grubs, the next step is to search your lawn to inspect for the larvae. Copyright © 2003-2020. Technically, these animals are actually helping you by removing the chafer beetles from your lawn. 5 Reasons Why the Grass is Always Greener with Iron Sulphate. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages so whatever your budget or needs, you should find a solution which works for you. One package of Nematodes like this costs $25 and will treat 2,000 – 4,000 square feet of lawn. It seems that the crows can only damage a weakened lawn because the grubs have quietly been eating the roots. Your grass growing will likely cover any damage caused by chafer grubs. Call us from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday on 0800 091 3171. Finally, if you prefer to combine treatment with prevention, consider laying an artificial lawn. The Garden Chafer has an annual lifecycle whereas the Cockchafer is larger and more destructive because it lives in the soil for 3 years, eating roots, before it hatches. I have chafer grubs in a pot with a wisteria. Neem oil, for example, does a great job of killing lawn grubs like the chafer, however unlike nematodes it can also kill creatures that are good for your garden, like bees and ladybirds. It sounds like you may have some grubs so it's worth checking what kind of grubs are under your lawn. Follow instructions on how long to leave the herbicide based on the box’s instructions, Dig over the topsoil every couple of days to bring any grubs to the surface and make them easy pickings for the birds, After a week or two, being preparations to lay new turf and begin your lawn anew. Be the first to know: Sign up for exclusive Chafer grub treatment. By eating the grass roots, chafer grubs will destroy your lawn from the inside out. Grubs are the larvae of different kinds of beetles; Japanese Beetle, European Chafer, or the June bug. The chafer beetle damage can become extensive if left untreated, particularly during early spring when the larvae are at their largest. Once again look for chafer grubs on or just below the soil surface; If you suspect a problem peel back several patches of turf and if you have more than about 5 grubs per square foot then damage will more than likely occur. Are you sure it's the crows and not the Chafer grubs that are damaging the lawn? Scarify or rake your lawn to clear it of debris and thatch, Spike the lawn’s surface to allow the nematodes to get into the soil more quickly, Follow dilution instructions for your nematode treatment and apply it, Re-seed your lawn to replace any of the damage caused by the grubs, wildlife or the scarification progress, Use weed killer or herbicides to kill your lawn. European Chafer Grubs. Repair damaged turf by re-sowing with grass seed or laying turf in mid to late spring when the chafer grubs have moved deeper into the soil to pupate. Masked Chafer; Black Turfgrass Ataenius; What Grub Infested Grass Looks Like. A chafer grub has six legs situated close to its head. They are “C” shaped, milky white in colour, with a brown head, and six prominent legs. It can be disheartening to see your green grass replaced by bare brown soil, particularly if you’re new to gardening, but a bit of preparedness goes a long way in preventing this. Sorry to hear about your problem with chafer grubs! Chafer beetles are commonly one of two types: the Garden Chafer and Cockchafer. Call 385-429-2847 for a free estimate. There are some products that advertise that they control … You could invest in nematodes – these are naturally occurring parasites that latch onto the grubs and kill them. They are the larvae of the chafer beetle and they live within the soil, consuming roots and slowly growing in size until they are ready to emerge as adults. Lawn damage as the wildlife starts ripping and pulling moss, grass and thatch out of the lawn. Chafer grubs are one of a range of lawn grubs which feed on grass roots to survive. All Rights Reserved. Once you've discovered what grubs you've had, I'd recommend picking up some nematodes to get rid of them and follow it up with some iron sulphate through the summer to prevent them from coming back. Hi Ray, Chafer beetles tend to lay their eggs during very-late spring and summer. In your brown patch or patches, dig three sides of a square about 12-inches long into your lawn and peel back the sod. As chafer grubs spend a lot of time feeding from autumn right through to late spring, many gardeners just assume it’s an unrelated winter disease. Synthetic grass is no longer the vibrant, unnatural green that many people think of when they imagine artificial turf, there are now blended colours and soft-touch memory fibres to make it look and feel just like the real thing. In the south, armadillos are especially known to dig for grubs, so getting rid of grubs is also a way to get rid of armadillos. Controlling Grubs in Containers. Generally, all lawn grubs cause a combination of two issues – grass destruction and wildlife attraction. Nematodes won't damage your wisteria - they're parasitic and only feed on chafer grubs. However, one of the less obvious but actually more notable issues is how this infestation affects the local wildlife. To make matters worse, the chafer grubs are a delicious snack for birds, foxes and a variety of other animals, all of whom will happily dig up your garden to get at these plump white grubs! If your grass is weakened but still alive you may be able to revive it with water and fertiliser. 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