Lawn pests
Chafer grubs
Chafer grubs are creamy coloured and about 1.5cm (0.6 inch) in length — though I have seen bigger. They have three pairs of legs, are usually curled up into a "C" shape, and are found in the root systems of plants and lawns.
Chafer beetles emerge from the lawn in May and June and lay their eggs in the ground within two weeks. The eggs hatch into grubs that feed on grass roots in August and September before burrowing deep into the soil. They lie dormant there over winter, then move back to the surface in spring to emerge as beetles again. If that life cycle is not broken, re-infestation occurs and the problem gets progressively worse.
Because of the way chafer grubs feed, grass roots are severed and the turf becomes easy to rip open — birds, foxes and badgers will happily tear a lawn apart looking for a tasty meal. The results can be dramatic: whole sections of lawn lifted like a carpet overnight.
If you suspect chafer grubs, get in touch early. We remove the infestation, break the life cycle and, where the damage is beyond recovery, prepare the ground and lay a new lawn — backed up with follow-up visits to check it is establishing properly.
Signs to look for
- Yellowing or dying patches of lawn that lift easily by hand
- Birds, foxes or badgers repeatedly digging in the same area
- Creamy "C" shaped grubs just below the turf when you peel it back
- Damage appearing or worsening in late summer and autumn