Biological Control of
Leatherjackets and Chafer Grubs
Plant Product offers the following Nematodes
for Sports Turf and Lawn Pest Control
Pest Item # Description
Leatherjackets 20005 NEMASYS 5X250M!
Leatherjackets 20249 NEMASYS 50 MILLION/PK!
Chafer Grub Control 20529 NEMASYS-G 250 MILLION/PKNematodes can be very effective in controlling a number of turf and lawn pests provided certain conditions are met.
Background Information
Timing of application to coincide with the youngest most susceptible larval stages will provide the greatest efficacy. Nematodes will not control adult Chafer or Cranefly. See specific timing related to each pest.
Nematodes require a film of water in order to move. Turf should be moist prior to application and they should be watered immediately following to ensure the nematodes are washed off the leaves and through any thatch that may exist. Application during rain is highly desirable. Ensuring that soil is kept moist for several weeks after application will allow the nematodes maximum mobility in their search for prey to feed on.
Soil temperatures between 12ºC and 30ºC will provide best results.
Avoid exposure of nematodes to direct sun or any high temperature during application.
Even after mixing, the spray tank must be agitated constantly while applying to prevent nematodes from settling out.
Living nematodes may not be evenly distributed through the package requiring that the contents of the entire package should be mixed and used all at one time.
Understanding how these living predators work and following the above recommendations can lead to very effective pest control.
European Chafer Grub Control
In southern Ontario adult European Chafer emerge from the ground during late June and the month of July and take off around dusk on mating flights in groups sometimes having so many individuals as to sound like a swarm of bees. Females will lay eggs the following day after burrowing several inches into the soil. Eggs hatch in 2 to 3 weeks and by autumn the grub will have progressed to the 3rd instar.
The ideal time for application of nematodes for Chafer grub control will be from the time of egg hatch sometime during late July or August, until soil temperatures drop below 12ºC in the Autumn. Precise timing will depend on climatic conditions in particular regions and may differ for any region year to year.
Leatherjacket Control
Leatherjacket infestations were first documented in Ontario in 1996 and we are still learning about this turf pest. Early research has indicated that the nematode Steinernema feltiae is effective in controlling leatherjacket grubs in their early stages.
The adult of the leatherjacket is properly referred to as a Crane Fly. Crane Flies emerge from the ground in late August and September to mate, and females will lay their eggs within 24 hours of emerging. Eggs hatch 10 to 14 days after being laid. Properly timed Nematode applications could be as early as 10 days after adults emerge, and can continue as long as the soil temperature is above 10ºC.
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