Adult beetles of the Garden Chafer (Phyllopertha horticola) emerge in May/June and mate. Females burrow into the ground to lay their eggs. Eggs hatch about 4 weeks later forming characteristic "C" shaped grubs – staying close to the soil surface until early October after which they move deeper over-winter. They pupate the following April. Chafer grubs cause damage to turf by feeding on roots and by predators (rooks, crows etc.) excavating the grubs.
Affected turf may have all roots severed. Predators may tear at the turf removing divots to expose the grubs causing further damage.
Find out more about our chafer grub controls
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora - Microscopic nematode worms seek out vine weevil and chafer grub in the soil and compost, larger weevil grubs are more easily located. Nematodes enter the weevil larvae and release a small pellet of bacteria that kills the host after a few days. The parasitic worms begin to reproduce, releasing several thousand more juvenile infective nematodes able to find and kill further weevil grubs.
Autumn and spring are the main seasons for nematode application, although additional treatments may be needed for heated or protected crops. It is important that the soil or compost or turf is kept moist (not water logged).
