As summer arrives, you’re probably spending more time out in the garden, and it’s time to take a close look at your lawn.
Thousands of pesky bugs called leatherjackets could be lurking beneath the surface of the grass, and they’re a pain to get rid of.
What are leatherjackets?
Leatherjeackets are the larvae of crane flies, better known as daddy longlegs. It’s what they look like before they turn into the big gangly insects.
The critters are like tiny, brown or grey worms with a tough, leathery exterior, which is how they developed their name, gardening expert Fiona Jenkins explains.
They live underground and eat away at the roots of your lovely lawn, which can eventually destroy your garden.
A small infestation can quickly leave your nice green grass looking patchy and sad – which nobody wants during the summer.
What to watch out for
The main sign that your lawn is being taken over by leatherjackets is patchy, brown grass. As they feed on the roots, the affected areas will turn brown. These patches might feel spongy under your foot due to the damaged root system, and in severe cases there may be bald spots of soil.
If the infestation isn’t too bad, your lawn might look feathered rather than having smooth, even growth. Another sign of leatherjackets is more birds pecking at your grass, as the wildlife is always looking for a tasty snack.
Finally, if you’re concerned, it’s always best to do an inspection test. Take a small spade and lift out a patch of lawn. If you find brown slugs with tough skin moving in the soil, this is an obvious sign of a leatherjacket infestation.
How to get rid of them
If your garden has been overtaken by leatherjackets, there are a few natural ways to get rid of them:
- Nematodes: These microscopic worms are commonly used to kill garden pests such as slugs, vine weevils and ants without using harmful toxic chemicals. Apply them when the soil is moist and warm, and they will kill the leatherjackets.
- Beer trap: Leatherjackets are attracted to yeasty smells, so you can use beer to get rid of them too. Dig a shallow hole in the grass, fill it with beer, and cover it with a piece of slate or cardboard. The bugs will crawl in and be killed.
- Encourage predators: Birds will eat leatherjackets, so encouraging them into your garden with feeders and birdhouses is also great way to remove them. Hedgehogs enjoy eating the small bugs too.
If you have a huge infestation, leatherjackets can be a pain to get rid of. These natural methods may not work, in which case you can buy insecticides that target leatherjackets. However, this should be a last resort as they are toxic and may damage other insects too.
This expertise was provided by Fiona Jenkins is a UK-based landscaper with more than 25 years of experience. She works as a gardening expert for MyJobQuote, one of the UK’s top trades-matching sites offering her expert advice to tradespeople and homeowners.
