Pests - Greenfield

Greenfield, 31.03.2009
URL: http://www.greenfield.de/en/pests.html

Pests

The two main pests that cause problems in a lawn are leatherjackets and chafer grubs.
Both these pests are larvae that feed on the grass roots which cause death or damage to the grass plant.

	Leatherjackets
Season:	Spring and summer
Symptoms:	Leatherjackets are the larvae of daddy long-legs. You are at risk if you see a large number of daddy long legs in the vicinity of your lawn, if you have suffered with leatherjackets in the past or if your lawn is thin and pachy. They cause a yellow or brown dead patch in the summer.
Preventative measures:	From April – May a leatherjacket pesticide killer can be applied also during the summer a polythene sheet can be laid on the lawn. The leatherjackets will come to the surface overnight and can be removed.
	Chafer Grubs
Season:	late summer
Symptoms:	More common on sandy soils, but leaves the grass in the same condition as above.
Preventative measures:	It is best to treat in late summer as this is when the grub is closest to the surface. Treatment is similar to leatherjacket with the use of pesticides.