Chafer Grubs

Senerade

I have crows destroying my entire garden and after doing some research and looking under the turf, I have a large infestation of chafer grubs. The only product I can seem to find is nematodes but states wrong time of year to use. Can anyone else advised of any other products. I’ve seen Milky Spores but that doesn’t seem to be available in UK.  I have picked up all the loose turf but not sure what else to do. 

Any advice will be appreciated. 

Farway

No help I'm afraid, but at least a badger has not turned up after them

Apodemus

If you are keen to give the nematodes a go, you might still get away with it, but that will depend on where in the country you are.  Nematodes will still be reasonably active if the day/night average temperature is above 10C, and with warmer winters, you may still be getting that for reasonable periods this side of Christmas.

Personally I would just let the crows get on with it!  Just look on it as biological control.   If you have any means of rolling the lawn, I would do that - mainly to help reinstate the lawn surface but a heavy roller can also consolidate the ground and make it less suitable for grubs.

In the old days people might have suggested that a weak solution of Jeyes Fluid would be effective but you'll be hard-pressed these days to find anyone that will quote you an application rate.   

Justagardener

This sought of infestation is a nightmare. We lost 5 acres of formal lawns to chafer grubs dug over by badgers, foxes and crows. The lawns looked like a ploughed field. As soon as we see crow damage I'm afraid we revert to the old ways now and scatter crow feathers over the lawns, this works very well. 

twopenny

Send them my way!

I've got the grubs and the state of the lawn I've inherited I'd be grateful for them to dig over it. It could only improve.

I do sympathise if you have a nice hard worked lawn but it seems they are doing a great job of ridding you of the grubs. Then you can roll it in spring.

Are you sure it's the crows and not the Chafer grubs that are damaging the lawn? It seems that the crows can only damage a weakened lawn because the grubs have quietly been eating the roots. Recommendations are to let the wild life get rid of the grubs and then consolidate the lawn and re-seed.

Senerade

Apodemus said:

If you are keen to give the nematodes a go, you might still get away with it, but that will depend on where in the country you are.  Nematodes will still be reasonably active if the day/night average temperature is above 10C, and with warmer winters, you may still be getting that for reasonable periods this side of Christmas.

Personally I would just let the crows get on with it!  Just look on it as biological control.   If you have any means of rolling the lawn, I would do that - mainly to help reinstate the lawn surface but a heavy roller can also consolidate the ground and make it less suitable for grubs.

In the old days people might have suggested that a weak solution of Jeyes Fluid would be effective but you'll be hard-pressed these days to find anyone that will quote you an application rate.   

Yes, I’m hoping the crows do what they need to now I’ve given them free access to the grubs. 

I have also read about Jeyes Fluid but I have feral cats that seem to love my garden so I don’t want to cause them any harm. 

Senerade

twopenny said:

Send them my way!

I've got the grubs and the state of the lawn I've inherited I'd be grateful for them to dig over it. It could only improve.

I do sympathise if you have a nice hard worked lawn but it seems they are doing a great job of ridding you of the grubs. Then you can roll it in spring.

Are you sure it's the crows and not the Chafer grubs that are damaging the lawn? It seems that the crows can only damage a weakened lawn because the grubs have quietly been eating the roots. Recommendations are to let the wild life get rid of the grubs and then consolidate the lawn and re-seed.

I must admit I’m not a keen gardener but I always ensue the garden is cut and watered. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I didn’t even no what grubs were until 2 weeks ago.

Yes, the grubs are weakening the lawn and the crows are just peaking away like it’s wet tissue. It’s pretty bad.