Pest Control
Common pests
Insect pests can be a nuisance and undo all the hard work you have done in creating a lovely lawn. At Hampshire Lawncraft, we can help identify any lawn pests and provide treatments, which can help alleviate any unwanted visitors. Here are some of the most common lawn pests that we deal with:
Leatherjackets
Leatherjackets are the larvae of the European crane fly (Tipula paludosa) - more commonly known as daddy long-legs. They live just below the surface of the lawn until they emerge as a flying adult. An infestation can destroy a lawn as the larvae feed on the roots, which damages the grass from below. Wildlife pecking and digging for the larvae can then cause further damage leaving your lawn peppered with holes. They are a particular delicacy for jays, magpies, rooks and crows, as well as foxes, hedgehogs and badgers who won’t worry about disturbing your beautiful lawn. Early treatment is the best option as the larvae can be controlled more easily when they are small.
How can I spot a leatherjacket?
They are greyish brown in colour and have tubular bodies which can grow up to 3cm in length. You won’t necessarily know they are there until you start to see damage or the mature crane flies emerge in the summer. The adults can live for several days but usually lay their eggs in the soil towards the end of summer, which then hatch into larvae. The larvae start feeding in early autumn and then burrow deeper into the soil over the winter. In spring the larvae continue to feed voraciously before pupating and finally maturing into adult crane flies which continue the cycle. They leave patches of dry, dead grass which is often loose.
You can identify a leatherjacket infestation by cutting L shaped flaps in the turf and rolling it back; the larvae reside in the root zone and an infestation will be easily seen. An alternative method is to soak a patch of lawn in the evening and then cover it with plastic sheet. The leatherjackets will come to the surface overnight and can be revealed when you roll back the plastic in the morning. Pay particular attention to areas in shady spots or where the grass seems to be thinning.
How do I get rid of leatherjackets?
There are currently no chemical treatments available that can get rid of leatherjackets, but we can treat them using nematodes. The nematodes are an organic treatment that uses naturally occurring microorganisms which pass a bacteria on to the leatherjackets thereby removing them.
Chafer grubs
Chafer grubs are the larvae of the chafer beetle (Phyllopertha horticola or Hoplia philanthusand) and can also cause problems in a lawn by feeding on the roots of the grass.
The adults emerge in late spring/early summer, feed on shrubs and trees before laying their eggs into grassed areas. These eggs then hatch into larvae which can be identified by their pale creamy body and orange head and the distinctive C shape that their body forms.
How do chafer grubs damage my lawn?
The larvae begin to feed on the grass roots throughout summer and autumn before moving deeper to avoid the winter frosts. As they grow bigger, they start to cause damage to lawns and weak areas of grass can develop. The chafer grubs will pupate in spring before emerging as adults. Similar to leatherjackets, the damage can be identified by patches of yellowing or dead grass which can often be pulled up like a carpet. Extensive damage can also result from birds and animals digging up the lawn to eat the grubs.
How can I identify a chafer grub infestation?
You can identify a chafer infestation in the same manner as for leatherjackets and they too are treated using nematodes of a different variety.
Ants
Ants are very common in UK gardens and they prefer living in dry, light, sandy or chalky soils although they can appear almost anywhere. They are natural aerators of the soil and help to reduce compaction but whilst the ants themselves are not so much of a problem, their ability to shift large proportions of soil to the lawn’s surface can cause uneven anthills and raised areas which can get scalped by the action of mowing. These flattened anthills can be a breeding ground for weeds and can result in ugly bare patches in the lawn.
How can I control ants in my lawn?
Unless causing a specific problem they are best left alone, as they are very adaptable and will quickly recolonise in a different patch of the garden. However, a well-watered lawn will discourage them (don’t use boiling water as this can scorch your turf!). You can also brush the anthills with a broom whenever they are dry.
If the ant problem persists, Hampshire Lawncraft can help by either providing bait stations containing insecticide gel or by applying ant –specific nematodes, depending on the situation. Your Hampshire Lawncraft expert will advise on the best approach.
Repairing insect damage
If insect pests have caused significant damage to your lawn then it may be necessary to undertake repair work. This will likely take the form of an overseed with the additional possibility of aeration, scarification or top dressing. Your Hampshire Lawncraft expert will be happy to advise and carry out the work to restore your lawn to its former glory.