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How to get rid of leatherjackets
If you have noticed little clusters of yellowed, dead grass forming on your lawn with birds (particularly Starlings!) digging into these patches, then you very well may have a leatherjacket infestation on your lawn!
Being one of the most common lawn pests in the UK, leatherjackets are small, brown, grubs that hatch from the eggs of crane flies (aka daddy long legs). They feed on the roots of grass, weaking your lawn and causing patchy, unhealthy growth.
You can easily identify if it is in fact an infestation of these pesky grubs by pulling up the suspect yellowing turf that birds are targeting. This will reveal if these terrible tenants have moved into your lawn, as they will be easily visible.
Can I prevent leatherjackets?
Crane flies will lay eggs in most UK lawns, and some may never hatch – but if conditions are wet and damp for a considerable amount of time (e.g. during a particularly wet winter), this will cause them to hatch and begin to live under your lawn. If your lawn suffers from poor drainage, this will only amplify these unfavourable conditions. In order to prevent leatherjackets, you will need to regularly aerate your lawn to create pockets of air in the soil to allow it to breathe and encourage the flow and dispersal of rainwater, working to lessen the damp & wet conditions leatherjackets thrive in.
How to get rid of a leatherjacket infestation
There is no chemical pesticide to eradicate leatherjackets at present. Nematodes are microscopic bacterial worms that get rid of leatherjackets by infiltrating their outer casing and subsequently killing them. There are a wide variety of nematodes on the market, but it is important to make sure you have the right nematodes for the pest you are experiencing. For leatherjackets, the correct nematodes are Steinernema feltiae. Products such as Nemasys can be applied to the infected area or all across the lawn and must be watered in to activate the nematodes. Always follow the instructions on these products.
But what about my grass?
Once you are certain you have eradicated leatherjackets from your lawn, it's time to repair the mess they've left behind. We have a helpful guide on how to repair the damage leather jackets do to your lawn and ensure you quickly restore your garden to its former glory.