Pests and Diseases - Symptom Selector

Chafer grubs

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Chafer grubs

Symptoms

Patches of grass brown and die off. These patches are relatively small and the grass comes away easily form the soil when it is pulled.

Cause

The larvae of chafers. These are plump white grubs that are usually curved into a fat C shape with a brown head and three pairs of chubby legs. These grubs eat the roots of the grass until, when fully fed they pupate in the soil, emerging as beetles in the late summer.

Harm

The grubs eat the roots of grass killing it and causing extensive damage.

Treatment

Organic – biological control (a nematode) can be watered into the soil in late summer when the soil is moist but warm. Rolling the grass in the spring with a heavy roller will crush the grubs.
Chemical – once the damage has been spotted, the grubs are usually too large to be effected by chemicals.

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