What are chafer grubs?
Chafer grubs are the larvae of chafer beetles. The grubs live in soil and eat plant roots, which may cause problems if you have chafer grubs in your lawn.
Lawn & Weed Expert offer a professional chafer grub control service - if you've found these unwanted guests in your garden, give us a call on 0800 111 4958 and we'll get rid of them for you.
- What do chafer grubs look like?
- What eats chafer grubs?
- Are chafer grubs harmful?
- How to get rid of chafer grubs
- When should I treat my lawn for chafer grubs?
What do chafer grubs look like?
Chafer grubs are caterpillar-like creatures with plump greyish-white bodies and light brown heads.
A chafer grub has six legs situated close to its head. The body is shaped like a letter C.
Here's a picture of a chafer grub:
Photo by David Cappaert, Michigan State University (Wikimedia Commons)
What eats chafer grubs?
Lots of birds eat chafer grubs, including crows, magpies and jays. If you often see these birds pecking at your lawn, this may be a sign that it's infested with chafer grubs.
Mammals such as foxes and badgers have also been known to eat chafer grubs.
Are chafer grubs harmful?
Yes - chafer grubs feed on grass roots, which can have a detrimental effect on the health and appearance of your lawn.
You might notice brown patches on your lawn, and where the roots have been completely eaten away, you may even be able to lift away whole pieces of turf with ease.
How to get rid of chafer grubs
Many home treatments for chafer grubs recommend the use of nematodes. While nematodes can be effective when dealing with lawn pests (check out our blog Can I Use Nematodes for Lawn Pest Control?), they can be slow-going compared to alternative chafer grub treatment methods.
Utilising professional chafer grub removal services like those offered by Lawn and Weed Expert are a more efficient. We offer expert pesticide specially formulated to safely and efficiently get rid of any chafer grubs in your lawn.
When should I treat my lawn for chafer grubs?
The best time of year to treat your lawn for chafer grubs depends on your treatment method. If you’re using nematodes, the best time to treat your lawn for chafer grubs is from late July – October. The soil temperature needs to be relatively warm for the nematodes to be active.
If you’re opting for a pesticide treatment, it's typically best to apply when the soil is moderately dry and no rain is expected.
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If you think you have chafer grubs in your lawn, don't let them win - get in touch with Lawn & Weed Expert to arrange a FREE lawn survey.
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