Watch out for Yellowing lawns and Daddy long legs!
There are several signs that your lawn could be under attack from Leatherjackets. This damaging soil born grub, is the larval stage of the commonly known insect; Daddy-long-legs. If you are seeing or have seen in the last few weeks large numbers of these insects, you need to act now. These freshly emerged adults will be laying fresh eggs, which develop quickly into Leatherjacket grubs. These grubs will eat the roots of grass and turf. This will show as yellowing areas of grass. Large infestations will also attract birds such as crows and starlins. These birds then rip up lawns to get to the grubs.
There is a non-chemical, non-toxic and safe solution with the use of nematodes. These tiny microscopic worms can be watered into the grass or turf. They then search out and kill the Leatherjacket grubs. The trade name for this product is Just Leatherjacket Killer. The best time for applying is between late August and October. The Leatherjacket grubs are at their most vulnerable to nematodes in this period.
Another similar pest know as Chafer grub, can also be treated now with a different nematode, the product being known as Just Chafer Grub Killer. The damage symptoms are very similar to Leatherjacket but the grubs are white in colour as opposed to the brown-grey appearance of Leatherjackets.
If you have had either of these pests in the past, check your lawns for new damage now and apply nematodes. The more of these pests that can be killed now the better. Overwintering populations may continue to feed if we have a mild autumn and start feeding early again with a mild spring.