Here’s everything you need to know about Leatherjackets...
Not the type that Danny Zuko wears…the little grubs that grow into the Crane Fly (Daddy Longlegs).
Here’s what they are:
Here’s what they do: feed on grass roots, killing your lawn.
Here’s how to stop them:
Nematodes: living organisms applied to the soil to target leatherjackets in autumn (single dose) or spring (double dose). Results can be mixed. They must be used soon after purchase and only when soil temperatures are 10°C or higher.
Turfsolv: liquid treatment that makes grass roots inedible (think mosquito repellent). It does not kill grubs, but rather displaces them. Whether you class that as a treatment is up to you.
Acelepryn: Introduced to the UK in 2023 and highly effective. A licence is required to buy and apply it, so this must be done by a professional. It can only be applied in September and October when grubs hatch. It will not work at this time of year when grubs are fully grown.
Black Sheet Method: thoroughly water an area of your lawn in the evening, then cover it with a dark sheet, black works best. By morning, grubs rise to the surface. Remove the sheet and collect them by hand, then dispose of them or leave them for birds. Repeat as needed.
You can try all of these if you wish. If it were me, I would start with the black sheet method as it costs nothing, then move on to nematodes if conditions allow.
How to fix the damage
You do not need expensive chemicals. You just need to replant the grass that was lost.
Our Gro-Pro Grass Seed is available from £36, or you can get it FREE with our All-Season Lawn Plan (click button below). Step-by-step seeding guide included to stop you from just feeding the birds.
Click here for FREE Grass Seed
From there, you should have first shoots in 7 days, and an established lawn in 4 weeks. Arrange a professional Acelepryn treatment in September to stop them returning.
As promised, lawn tips in under a minute.
Liam
Founder, Great British Lawn Co.
