How to Control Leatherjacket & Chafer Grubs In Lawns

A lush, green lawn can quickly become a patchy, yellowing mess if infested by leatherjacket or chafer grubs. These underground pests wreak havoc on lawns by feeding on grass roots, causing significant damage that can be difficult to repair. As a professional lawn care company, we specialise in grub treatments to protect your lawn and renovation services to restore its health. Here’s everything you need to know about leatherjacket and chafer grubs, why they’re a problem, and how we can help prevent and control infestations effectively.

What Are Leatherjacket and Chafer Grubs?

Leatherjackets

Leatherjackets are the larvae of crane flies (commonly known as daddy longlegs). These grubs hatch in late summer and feed on grass roots throughout autumn and spring. Their feeding weakens the lawn, leading to yellowing, thinning, and, in severe cases, complete turf loss.

Chafer Grubs

Chafer grubs are the larvae of chafer beetles. Like leatherjackets, they live beneath the surface, feeding on grass roots and organic matter. Their activity causes similar lawn damage, making your grass appear weak and unhealthy. Additionally, chafer grubs attract predators such as birds, foxes, and badgers, which can dig up large sections of your lawn in search of food.

Why Are These Grubs Bad for Your Lawn?

• Root Damage: The primary issue with both leatherjacket and chafer grubs is their diet. By feeding on grass roots, they reduce the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, leading to visible decline.
• Weak and Patchy Grass: Infested lawns become thin, yellow, and susceptible to drought stress and disease.
• Attracting Pests: Wildlife such as crows, starlings, and badgers will tear up the lawn to feast on the grubs, causing further destruction.
• Rapid Spread: If left untreated, grub populations can grow, making recovery more difficult and costly.

How to Prevent and Treat Grub Infestations

Prevention Methods

1. Encourage Healthy Grass Growth – A well-maintained lawn with strong roots is more resilient to grub damage. Regular aeration, feeding, and watering help prevent infestations.
2. Manage Thatch Levels – Thatch is the layer of dead grass, roots, and organic debris that sits between the soil and the growing grass. A thick thatch layer can create an ideal environment for pests by providing shelter and moisture. Regular scarification (removal of thatch) helps to improve airflow, water penetration, and microbial activity, reducing the likelihood of grub infestations.
3. Overseed in Autumn and Spring – Overseeding can help thicken the lawn, reducing the likelihood of grub damage. A dense lawn is more resistant to pests and can recover more quickly from minor infestations.
4. Proper Mowing Techniques – Cutting the grass at the right height (not too short) encourages deep root growth and resilience. A stronger root system makes it harder for grubs to cause severe damage.
5. Deter Adult Crane Flies and Chafer Beetles – Reducing moisture levels in late summer can make the lawn less attractive for egg-laying adults. Avoid overwatering and improve drainage to discourage breeding conditions.
6. A cheap and easy option is to water your lawn to saturate the soil. Lay and secure a plastic sheet on the grass and leave overnight. Check the next morning and you may find grubs on the surface you can hand pick.
7. Nematode treatments – see below.

Natural Treatment with Nematodes

For homeowners looking for a safe and environmentally friendly approach, nematodes offer an excellent natural solution for controlling leatherjacket and chafer grubs. Nematodes are microscopic, soil-dwelling worms that actively seek out and infect the grubs, ultimately killing them. They are completely safe for people, pets, and beneficial insects. However, nematodes are not a one time fix. You may need to apply them twice per year to help prevent or manage future infestations.

• Application Timing:
  
  • For leatherjackets, apply nematodes between April – June, then again August to end of October when the larvae are young and most vulnerable.
  • For chafer grubs, nematodes should be applied between April & May then again August to end of October for optimal effectiveness.
• Application Method:
  
  • Water the lawn thoroughly before application to ensure the soil is moist.
  • Mix the nematodes with water as per the product instructions and apply using a watering can or hose-end sprayer.
  • Keep the soil moist for at least two weeks after application to allow the nematodes to establish and attack the grubs.

Lawn Tiger’s Lawn Grub Treatment

If an infestation has already taken hold, a professional treatment can provide the most effective solution. Lawn Tiger provides specialised grub control treatments tailored to your lawn’s needs.

• We will inspect your lawn to perform an Integrated Pest Management survey. This will determine the best course of action in the most environmentally beneficial way.
• UK-Approved Chemical Control: We use a highly effective grub control product approved for use in the UK. It targets Leatherjackets and chafer grubs, providing long-lasting protection for your lawn. This treatment can be applied once per year on a lawn. We have to choose between which grub type if you are unfortunate enough to have both. The Leatherjacket treatment is done September – October. The Chafer Grubs treatment is done in June.
• The product is designed to only be effective against the young stage of the grub life cycle. Mature grubs are very resistant to the treatment. However, the treatment and other approached you an take all help reduce the population and further damage.
• Aerating the lawn before the treatment can speed up the product getting into the soil and will bring many other benefits to the lawn too.
• Repair and Recovery: If your lawn has suffered severe damage, we offer a range of lawn renovation services including scarification, aeration, overseeding and top dressing to encourage rapid recovery.

When to Act

Leatherjacket  infestations typically become noticeable during Autumn to mid Spring with grass thinning out with bare patches appearing. Chafer grub damage can happen year round and may not always be noticeable until you see wildlife ripping up the lawn. IF you can easily lift up patches of grass there could be grubs in soil eating the grass roots.

If you suspect an issue, acting quickly can prevent further damage and save your lawn from costly repairs.

Get Professional Help Today

Don’t let leatherjacket or chafer grubs ruin your beautiful lawn. Contact us today for a no obligation quote, and let us restore your lawn to its lush, healthy state. 01293 974358, [email protected], www.lawntiger.co.uk.