This week is the third week of July and that means it’s time to buy nematodes to your lawn, if it’s suffering from European Chafer Beetle damage. Chafers are invasive insect pests and the larvae feed on the roots of grasses which causes serious damage to lawns.
Animals looking for grubs can destroy your lawn overnight.
Then later we get animals digging up lawns looking for juicy grubs and lawns are destroyed overnight.
Chafer beetles are here to stay, too. But we can take the fight to them.
Juicy grub from this spring.
Nematodes
If you failed to pre-order nematodes earlier in the season then just go down to your favourite garden store and ask if they have any in stock. Nematodes are tiny worms that live in the soil. If you apply them correctly they will chase down Chafers in your lawn. Do this in late July. You might want to read my previously published blog to see how I did it.
Chafer cycle
Chafer beetles emerge out of lawns and soil in June and fly into trees to mate. Then they go back into lawns to lay their young.
A very pregnant Chafer beetle heading for the lawn.
This is why the late July nematode application is critical. Once the grubs get too big the nematodes aren’t effective.
So, let’s review: buy nematodes in the third week of July and apply them in late July.
Follow the directions carefully. Your lawn should be soaked before nematode application and after. Also, remember that nematodes are photo-sensitive. Direct sunlight will kill them so apply them early in the morning or evening.
This is my blog post about my residential application. It might help you.
Lawn care
According to municipal handouts, healthy lawns should only need an hour of watering a week. Keep your grass at least 6cm high and leave the clippings on your lawn. The clippings serve as free fertilizer.
Conclusion
Keep your lawn healthy. If you have Chafer damage buy nematodes now and apply them at the end of July. Follow the directions. And pray!
