Our last posting day before Christmas will be the 20/12/24 🎄We will re-open and send non-live orders and nematodes on the 02/01/25 🎄 Dispatch of live predators will recommence on the 06/01/25 🎄 From everyone at Dragonfli, we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!🎄
There are six species of Chafer Beetles in the U.K, several of which can cause significant damage to lawns and turf during their larval stages. The most common species is the Garden Chafer (Phyllopertha horticola) which emerges in adult form from May to June. The Garden Chafer mates quickly and lays eggs that develop into grubs from late July to early August. If left untreated, the grubs will continue to feed on grass roots into the autumn. Once the soil temperatures drop the feeding stops. The Chafers will then overwinter deeper into the soil structure before rising to the surface to feed again in the spring. They will then pupate from April to May before emerging as adult beetles.
Chafer Grubs feed on grass roots, turning areas of lawn yellow. Chafers will also cause secondary damage, simply by being present in your turf, as they attract birds and animals to dig up lawns in an attempt to feed on the grubs. Badgers in particular enjoy feeding on Chafer grubs and will rip up large areas of turf to locate them. The damage to the lawn caused by these animals is often more severe than the damage caused by the Chafer Grubs themselves.
The first step in treating your infestation is to monitor for Chafer Beetle activity by setting up our Garden Chafer Beetle Traps from May. The traps attract and catch adult beetles which reduces mating and egg laying, whilst providing a warning of forthcoming infestations. Once Chafer grubs are detected in lawns, which is normally from the end of July, apply our Chafer Grub Killer Nematodes. The nematodes will seek out and kill the pests when watered into the soil. 1-2 applications may be required depending on the severity of the infestation. Nematodes can be easily applied over lawns with our Nema T-Pot Sprayer.
Help severely damaged turf recover with our Lawn Grub Repair Boost. This natural biostimulant enhances root and lawn growth and helps stimulate microbial activity in the soil. This leads to the establishment of healthier, stronger lawns. The boost can be used in combination with nematode treatments.
