As spring gets underway, many Brits will be excited to get back out into the gardens. And as gardening lovers begin to pick up their spades and rakes again, experts are warning that you should be on high alert for signs of leatherjackets – a common pest that eats grass from the roots up.
Ben Agnew, grass expert at Lawnsmith warns: “Although small, these grubs can be a nightmare for your lawn. An infestation can undo all the hard work you’ve put in and leave you with nothing. They thrive by eating the roots of grass and plants, killing their food source as they go.”
He adds that the first warning sign that these pests have been attacking your lawn is yellow patches, where the grass has died. If left untreated, these patches will eventually turn brown.
The wet UK winters are the perfect breeding ground for leatherjackets, with Crane flies, also known as daddy long legs, laying eggs in gardens towards the end of summer.
As the cold autumn and winter arrive, these eggs then hatch into leatherjackets – legless grubs with tough, leathery skin that grow up to 3cm in size.
Ben advises: “Prevention is easier than the cure for a leatherjacket infestation. Effective treatment comes in the form of microscopic bacterial worms called nematodes, specifically ‘Steinernema feltiae.’ Nematodes get rid of leatherjackets by infiltrating their outer casing and subsequently killing them.”
If your lawn has already been infested with leatherjackets, then the experts suggest removing the patches of dead grass and re-seeding the area. Then, apply fertiliser over the whole lawn, as this can help improve and maintain its overall health.
Lawns with poor drainage are more likely to be infested with leatherjackets, so addressing this is key to preventing future infestations.
Ben explained: “Aerating your lawn can help improve drainage. To do this, simply create holes in the turf to allow it to breathe and encourage water to disperse.
“Some soils are better than others for drainage. For example, nutrient-dense clay soils can make gardens more prone to flooding. If you often see water pooling in your garden, investigate the type of soil so you know how to nurture the lawn correctly.”
Alongside this, gardens that are heavily shaded are also at a higher risk of leatherjacket infestation, so it might be worth removing thick branches of overhanging trees and bushes in order for more sunlight to reach your lawn.