Hidden garden pest could be reason behind brown lawn patches
One hidden garden pest can wreak complete havoc on your lawn and may be responsible for the dead yellow and brown patches of grass in your garden — yet most people probably haven’t even heard of it.
TL;DR
- Leatherjackets, the larvae of crane flies (daddy long legs), feed on grass roots, causing lawn damage.
- Symptoms include discoloured yellow or brown grass and uneven patches that don't recover.
- A grub test involving soaking the lawn and covering it with dark material can reveal leatherjackets.
- Birds and badgers digging in lawns can also indicate the presence of leatherjackets.
- Biological control using pathogenic nematodes is a chemical-free treatment option.
- Nematodes infect leatherjackets with a bacterial disease, stopping them from feeding.
- Nematodes are safe for children, pets, wildlife, and the garden ecosystem.
- Effective nematode application requires well-drained, moist soil at a minimum temperature of 12°C.
- Applying nematodes in September and early October is recommended as a preventative measure.
- Prevention is more effective than repairing damaged turf later in the season.