You will need:
- Chafer Beetle garden trap & lure refill
- Biopesticide (e.g NEMAcontrol for Chafer Beetles or Nemasys F for Leather Jackets) or Insecticide such as Acelepryn (recently fully approved)
- Scarifer
- Aerator
- Wetting agent (e.g Abzorb Triple Action Wetting Agent)
- Water with Sprinkler / hose pipe
Acelepryn – Full Approval Granted in May 2023
For many years, there has not been a chemical insecticide available on the market for the control of Chafer Grubs & Leather Jackets. In 2018, emergency approval was granted for Acelepryn in limited circumstances. In 2023, Acelepryn was granted full professional use approval and can be used on a range of amenity turf, sports turf and commercial and residential lawns.
How Do I Control Chafer Grubs?
Once you have established that you do have an issue with the Chafer Grubs then you need to look at ways to control them. Since the main product that was historically used for control, Merit Turf, was withdrawn from the market a few years ago, there was not a chemical that has been approved for this use. However, in the May 2023, a product called Acelapryn was given full approval for use in the UK for the control of Chafer Grubs and Leather Jackets. This is now the only chemical insecticide available for the control of Chafer Grubs & Leather Jackets.
You can also control Chafer Grubs using a bio-pesticide called Nematodes. This is a living microscopic worm that will seek out the Chafer Grubs, penetrate them and then infect them with a bacteria which stops them feeding and then they quickly die. The nematode will then leave the grub and seek out another one to infect.
We also recommend a Chafer Beetle Trap to catch the adults to prevent them from laying eggs.
How Do I Control Leather Jackets?
Since the main active ingredient that was used for control, chlorpyrifos (Dursban, Cyren etc., was withdrawn from the market a few years ago, there has not been a chemical that has been approved for this use. However, in the May 2023, a product called Acelapryn was given full approval for use in the UK for the control of Chafer Grubs and Leather Jackets. This is now the only chemical insecticide available for the control of Chafer Grubs & Leather Jackets.
You can also control Chafer Grubs using a bio-pesticide called Nematodes.
This is a living microscopic worm that will seek out the Chafer Grubs, penetrate them and then infect them with a bacteria which stops them feeding and then they quickly die. The nematode will then leave the grub and seek out another one to infect.
When Do I Need To Apply Treatment?
The first application of treatment wants to be made in the late Summer / early Autumn and then a follow treatment in the Spring if the problem is very bad. If using Nematodes, the soil needs to be damp and moist when they are applied and then they need to be watered in afterwards as they are very susceptible to dry conditions and will die if they are not watered into the soil. In order to get the absolute best from these products, it is best to scarify the lawn first so that there is not thatch for the nematodes to get stuck in and then aerate the soil too as this will create gaps for the nematodes to get down. Then apply the nematodes with the equivalent of 200ml of water per meter square and also use a wetting agent such as Abzorb in order to assist them penetrating the soil. Then ensure that the lawn is kept moist for a few weeks after application by using a sprinkler or hose pipe.
Once you have done the second treatment in the Spring then you will need to look at trying to get the lawn back into shape ready for the Summer. For ideas on how to achieve this then look at our other How To Guides.
Acelepyrn has been granted full approval for use against leatherjacket and chafer grub infestations. Acelepryn can be used on affected greens, tees and fairways, along with horse race courses, airfields, sports & amenity turf and commercial and residential lawns.
For more information on controlling chafer grubs and leather jackets, please get in touch with our sales team on 01522 246491.
