Leatherjackets are a common lawn pest that can quickly ravish a healthy lawn, but did you know they prefer young new lawns over old ones? That's right, leatherjackets are commonly found infesting the lawns of new build properties where the lawn has only recently been laid. You might also find them in young turf or lawns that have recently been overseeded.
But why do leatherjackets prefer new lawns? Well, the answer is - they're fussy eaters! They have a very specific taste for young lawns because young lawns have sweet, tender roots. The roots of older lawns are bitter, tougher and harder to chew through.
This information is really vital because it helps you understand whether or not leatherjackets are a threat to your lawn or not. Just ask yourself, how long ago was it laid? Bear in mind that leatherjackets can still appear in older lawns, but it's not something we see as frequently.
How to get rid of leatherjackets
Here at Lawn and Weed Expert, we offer a leatherjacket treatment that many other lawn care providers do not offer! Our leatherjacket treatment is highly effective and will rid your lawn of these pesky pests in no time. There are a few of the different ways that you can treat leatherjackets, which we've outlined below, but if you do suspect that you have a leatherjacket infestation, we would recommend getting in touch with our team right away.
- Apply a liquid insecticide during autumn or spring
- Apply a granular insecticide in summer
- Introduce nematodes to your lawn. They will eat the leatherjackets. This is best done after a period of dry weather.
How to identify leatherjackets in your lawn
If you think you might have a leatherjacket infestation in your lawn, there are a few things you can look out for.
Common signs of leatherjackets in lawn:
- Yellow patches of grass despite rainfall/watering
- Bare patches of grass in shady areas
- Birds pecking at your lawn trying to eat the leatherjacket larvae
If you'd like to learn more about how to identify leatherjackets, check out our blog What Do Leatherjackets Look Like?
So, there you have it! If you've been wondering why leatherjackets prefer new lawns, now you know! Find out more about our specialist leatherjacket treatment below. We also treat a range of other pests including moles, ants and chafer grubs. Find out more about our pest services here.
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