Lawn Advice/Help Please?

Miniminxie

The back lawn has become infested with a spreading thick tough leaved grass-like growth which of course, normal lawn weedkiller won't touch because it's a grass. I also have several ant nests patches which are bare. Plus a well-known lawn treatment firm has told me I have leather jackets. The whole lawn (I use the term 'lawn' lightly) looks a right mess. I don't know what to do for the best,a new lawn or artificial grass. The 'treatment company' have been stopped as they seem unable to offer a solution to any of the above. The lawn was laid about 15 years ago and is also very uneven.

Can anyone suggest ways to treat the lawn to bring it back to something that looks presentable?

OR

offer views on whether to get a new lawn laid - by seeds or by turf?  (it has been suggested because of the ants nests a new lawn wouldn't be successful)

OR 

just get a good quality artificial grass ?

I don't have a lot of time/energy to devote to lawn care but it is mown regularly and until recently was 'treated' every few months with a weed & feed.

Thank you for reading

Brie

Can't help on the first point.
If going for a new lawn I suggest turf.  It's instant lawn and you don't need to worry about the birds swooping down and eating all the seeds or every cat in the neighbourhood digging to china.  
Not a fan of artificial grass.  It not good environmentally and you still have to keep it tidy by hoovering etc so still a bit of work.  

Maybe if you go for turf you could remove all the grass, treat for ants or let the birds have a feast for a couple of weeks before relaying.  And laying turves is easy.  If I can do it practically anyone can.  

twopenny

If you don't have time for a spotless lawn why have one?
The tough grass you mention is normal after the hot dry we've had. Also the ant disturbance is universal because of the changing weather and the ants didn't get to fly earlier enough this year.

You can use something high in uric acid which used to be available and must be around somewhere or use your own supply for free  that will give you a perfect lawn free of weeds.

Or you can grow it as a wildflower meadow
or pebble over it. Also needs a lot of hand tended for weeds.

Plastic grass also needs maintenance, grows a lot of weeds that have to be hand picked out.

fatbelly

What is the grass-like growth? Is it grass?

Slinky

Probably couch grass. 

Miniminxie

Thank you for replying.

The grass is very tough, coarse leathery blades similar to that you see in the Canaries. Not pale green like couch grass and not as tall but looks as if it is spread by roots. 
I'm not seeking a bowling green grass  but something that looks better than  it does just now.

Marb6145ky

It's difficult to control the coarse grass in my experience because it's very invasive. However, if you scarify feed and overseed yearly, then the seed mix (fescue or rye) you use will help drown it out. What's more, if you keep the grass slightly longer (setting 3 or 4 on a rotary), you won't see it anywhere as much as if it's cut short.

https://www.relentlessgardener.co.uk/how-to-overseed-a-uk-lawn/