Noticing yellow, soft patches in your lawn that lift away easily? Chances are chafer grubs are the culprits. These fat, curled larvae of beetles like the cockchafer lie beneath the turf, gnawing eagerly at your grass roots.
You'll soon see the signs: the lawn loses its firmness and can be lifted like a loose carpet. Time for a natural counter-attack with nematodes!
What's in the packet?
Nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora): microscopic in size, but mighty in action.
Biodegradable carrier material: a safe, eco-friendly vehicle for the nematodes.
When to use nematodes against chafer grubs?
Nematodes work best from June through September, once the young grubs hatch and haven't yet burrowed deep into the soil.
Important: the soil must be at least 12 °C and slightly moist. Warm and humid weather? Your nematodes are ready for action.
How to put nematodes to work:
Make a concentrate: Mix the full contents of the packet with 1 litre of lukewarm water and stir well.
Dilute before use: Pour part of the concentrate (as directed on the pack) into a watering can or sprayer and top up to 10 litres of water. Stir again.
Spread away: Pour or spray evenly over the affected lawn. Treat the entire surface.
Aftercare is key: Keep the soil slightly moist for at least two weeks so the nematodes can do their work.
Tips for success:
Nematodes dislike bright sun. Apply in cloudy weather or in the evening.
Mix the concentrate with clean, lukewarm water. No fertilisers or other additives — this bath is exclusively for your nematodes.
Preferably use a sprayer on a fine-mist setting or a special nematode spray.
Overdosing is not possible. Better a little too much than too little!
Store in the fridge (4–8 °C) and use within a week. Once dissolved? Apply immediately.
After treatment
Still seeing signs of chafer grubs after two weeks? A repeat treatment is recommended. Has the damage been done, but do you want the lawn looking lush and green again? Overseed with Quick Fix — lawn repair grass seed from Joyfields for a fresh, flying start.
