Leather Jackets

RelievedSheff

We moved into a new build property last year with a new lawn. It has never looked overly healthy and has always been a little on the yellow side.

We have discovered today that we have what we strongly suspect is a leather jacket infestation in the front and rear lawns.

My question is will the lawn recover from this with some reseeding or are we looking at removing the lawn and starting again? 

Grenage

You can get nematodes for the blighters; I've also heard of people laying black sheeting over the lawn to draw them to the surface, then removing it in the morning so the birds can have a feast.

You should be fine just reseeding the lawn.

RelievedSheff

It was the birds that drew our attention to the problem really. We are getting huge flocks of starlings pecking away at the grass.

We will try reseeding the lawns and see if that helps. Just taken the dog for his dinnertime walk and noticed that it may be an estate wide problem as none of the grass looks overly healthy and is all patchy. So not sure we will bother with the nematodes as we could treat the grubs only to get them back again from neighbouring properties!

Farway

As it's new build and estate has same problems my guess is all built on old grassland and the bugs are doing what they've done for decades.

Grenage

I've heard that it's not uncommon for new builds to have rubble and such disposed of under the lawn, so it might be worth digging a small exploratory hole.

My mate's new-build garden was shocking.

RelievedSheff

The estate was built on farmers fields. No rubble just nice sandy soil.

Farway could well be right. It could just be what has always gone on here. 

Will just go with reseeding and see how we get on from there.

seanoctagan

I found this advice to work - I quote "Cover your entire lawn overnight with black plastic sheeting. The grubs will then appear at the surface, and you can easily brush them off. Plastic sheeting can be bought in garden centres, or you can cut open a black bin bag" plus a bit more info here https://goto4gardening.co.uk/daddy-long-legs/