Chafer Grubs

Chafer grubs are the larvae of the chafer beetle. They live in the soil and some species feed on the roots of grass plants. In addition, wildlife searching to eat the larvae can cause further damage to the lawn. 

There are many different species of chafer beetle in the UK, and only a handful cause damage in the garden. Adult beetles typically emerge from May to June and lay their eggs in the turf. The eggs hatch a few weeks later and the larvae start feeding on the roots of the grass. This becomes a more significant problem in autumn when the larvae are fully grown. The grubs have C shaped white bodies, a brown head and three pairs of legs. 

Damage caused by the larvae is often minimal. In more serious instances patches of dying grass appear as the larvae gnaw at the roots of the plants. More serious damage often follows through wildlife tearing up the turf in order to feed on the grubs. Birds, badgers and foxes will all dig up the lawn in search of the larvae. Scarification, aeration and overseeding may well be needed to repair extensive damage to the lawn. 

Chafer grubs are part of the natural ecosystem in the garden, but in the case of a serious infestation professional services should be engaged. Correctly applied pathogenic nematodes can help control chafer grubs by infecting them with a bacterial disease. Please contact Lawnosity for help!