Chafer grubs love summer lawns – here’s how Greensleeves can help

News | 27 June 2023
Chafer grubs love summer lawns – here’s how Greensleeves can help

Maintaining a lush green lawn in the UK during the summer can be a challenge thanks to various pests and diseases that can wreak havoc on the grass. Chafer grubs are one common lawn-destroying culprit. In this blog, we’ll provide you with an overview of this pest, how to identify them and, most importantly, how Greensleeves can help you tackle an infestation effectively.

Chafer grubs

Chafer grubs are the larvae of chafer beetles. These white, C-shaped grubs are often found in lawns and feed on the roots of grass. Female chafer beetles typically lay their eggs in late June or early July, depending on weather conditions. The eggs are buried around 5cm deep into the soil beneath your lawn and have a typical incubation period of roughly two weeks – meaning that most of the eggs are hatched by mid-late July.

During the summer months, the newly-hatched grubs will feed vigorously close to the surface of your lawn, making this the time for vigilance. Signs of chafer grubs include patches of dead or dying grass that can be easily lifted, as well as increased bird, fox or badger activity as they’re attracted to the juicy grubs. If left unchecked, chafer grubs can cause significant damage to your lawn, resulting in brown patches and a weakened root system. If they survive though to the cooler autumn months they will burrow further down into the root system for the winter, before emerging in the spring to feast and wreak havoc for a second time!

The Greensleeves difference – how we can help

Professional assessment

Greensleeves understands that each lawn is unique, and your local lawn expert will conduct a thorough assessment of your lawn to identify the presence of chafer grubs. They will evaluate the extent of the damage and provide you with a tailored treatment plan to restore the health and beauty of your lawn.

Chafer grub control

Greensleeves offers effective chafer grub control treatments for these pests – to help prevent further damage. Our trained technicians use specially formulated, pet-and-child-friendly insecticides which specifically target the grubs, significantly reducing their population, allowing your lawn to recover and thrive.

Lawn renovation

For lawns severely damaged by chafer grubs, Greensleeves can provide a comprehensive lawn renovation service. This may involve scarification to remove dead grass and thatch, overseeding to promote new growth and top-dressing to improve soil health. By combining these techniques with ongoing lawn care maintenance, Greensleeves can help you achieve a lush and vibrant lawn once again.

To find your local Greensleeves lawn care expert and book a lawn assessment visit, click here

 

You might also like to read

Lawn care news from Greensleeves HQ, packed full of inspiration for not only making the most of your lawn but your garden and home.

Lawn Mushrooms – why do they appear on lawns and how to get rid of them

Mushrooms and toadstools are visible, spore-spreading fungi with dense root systems that develop beneath the ground to feed on decaying organic material such as fallen leaves, old grass cuttings, animal…

The must-do treatments your lawn NEEDS this autumn

Your garden was the place to be over the summer months. But with the cooler temperatures meaning you’re outside less, it’s the ideal time to give your lawn some much-needed…

How a well-maintained lawn can boost your property’s value

Looking to sell your home? It’s not just the to-do list for the inside of your property that needs tackling before you welcome potential buyers. Instead, various studies have found…

Autumn is here – and here’s why Greensleeves’ seasonal treatments can make a difference at this time of year 

  And just like that, summer is in the rear view mirror in the UK and autumn is here. But while it’s easy to think that this means you can…