Leatherjackets in your lawn?

It’s easy to get the perfect lawn following an invasion of Leatherjackets, so here are few few strategies and some advice for you to follow.

Leatherjackets are the larvae of Daddy-Long Legs as they are commonly known. The larvae cause damage to lawns by feeding on the roots of grass plants. Adult crane flies hatch from pupae in late July and August and lay their eggs in the ground within 24 hours of hatching. A female Daddy-Long Legs can lay up to 300 eggs which will hatch into miniscule grubs 10-15 days later then turn into Leatherjacket larvae.

This year has been particularly bad for Daddy-Long Legs. They have been everywhere. And, if you have seen them on your grass you will notice they have been recreating. Leaving eggs behind that will turn into lawn decimating larvae next spring. So, what’s the best way to control this garden pest? Read on to find out…

How to tell if you have Leatherjackets in your lawn

You will see areas of yellowing grass within your lawn. When you tug on the blades of grass, they will come away from the soil easily and there will be barely any root on the bottom of the plant. Your lawn will be unable to re-grow roots fast enough and so will wither and die. 

To tell if you have Leatherjackets in your lawn, simply take a small spade and lift a small section of the lawn. If you have any Leatherjackets they will be in soil and easy to spot.

Leatherjackets and how to control them

The adult Daddy-Long Legs mostly emerge and lay eggs in your lawn or soil surface from August to October. To control them we recommend interrupting their lifecycle to minimise any damage. The best way to control Leatherjackets is to get a new lawn. This means laying new turf. Scarifying, ariating, adding fresh top soil and new turf is a great way to get rid of any grubs living in your lawn before they have the chance to hatch. It is an investment but, not only will your lawn look great come spring, but you’ll nip any eggs and larvae in the bud before they get the chance to do any damage.

Biological control for Leatherjackets

There are currently no pesticide controls for Leatherjackets in lawns or soil which can be applied by home gardeners. We use Nematodes as a biological control against Leatherjackets.

Turfing and its advantages

• Prep the soil – Good preparation is the key to establishing a successful lawn. We pay particular attention to clearing weeds and cultivating the surface to a fine tilth. We use quality top soil to ensure the ground is well prepared. 
• We will complete all site preparation before buying, or taking delivery of turf. As turf may vary in both size and thickness we check the dimensions when planning the lawn and ordering the turf. 
• It creates an instant garden that can be used sooner than seed. This is good for people with children or pets as you can be back on the lawn within a couple of days of laying.
• Turf is best laid in mid-autumn, but can be laid any time between mid-autumn and late winter – whenever the soil is not too wet or frosty. In spring and autumn little mowing is needed so newly-laid turf can be left relatively undisturbed for several weeks.
• Turfing is an area that we specialise in, and we take great care in ground preparation to ensure a perfect finish for you project. 
• Elimination of any infestations such as Leatherjackets. The process undertaken by turfing a lawn removes any infestations or pests and the need for it to be treated with chemicals.

 

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Making your garden the way you want is our priority.

Whether it’s a veggie plot so you can enjoy soups and salads, or a tranquil flower garden to relax in, we will make sure your garden is the way you want.

Our specialisms include; Turfing and Lawn Care, Garden Maintenance, Gravelling, Garden Clearances, Planting and much more!

Simply call 07804 056171 or email [email protected]

 

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