CHAFER GRUBS "Until these nematodes, the birds and badgers were having a feast - Now I have my lawn back" Mrs P from Brighton. Treat chafer grubs in July / August. Pre-order for delivery w/c 28/07. Treat chafer grubs in July / August. Pre-order for delivery w/c 28/07. Adult Chafer Grubs - The adult Chafer Beetles emerge in May/June from the lawn and will mate and immediately lay eggs. Unfortunately these are often laid in the same place reinfesting the same lawn each year so the problem will progressively get worse year after year. Left : Adult Chafer Grubs. Chafer Grubs - The eggs hatch and the grubs feed on grass roots from July until late Autumn before burrowing deep into the ground to pupate. These grubs then lay dormant deep in the ground under the soil before moving to the surface the following Spring to emerge as beetles in May / June and starting the process again. Therefore there is only one opportunity a year to kill these grubs when the grubs are both active in the soil and near the surface and the soil temp is 12°c. i.e. July / August. Available from mid July onwards. Pre-order for delivery w/c 28/07. Right : Chafer grubs as discovered in our lawn. Identifying the pest - Inspect the lawn in areas of discoloration by cutting a 6" X 6" section of turf on three sides and peeling back the sod and examine the upper 2 inches of root zone for the presence of white grubs. Examination is aided by shaking or breaking the sample, and by probing through the soil and roots with a sharp instrument such as a pocket knife or screwdriver. Since chafer grubs do not distribute themselves evenly throughout the turf, it is essential that enough areas are examined to find out how extensive the infection is. Below are some pictures taken by a customer which demonstrate how extensive some chafer grub infestations can be :- Chafer Grubs - are creamy coloured, approx 1.5 cm in length and have distinctive legs and found in the root systems of plants and lawns. They are often mistaken for vine weevils - but vine weevil tend to be smaller and do not have legs. Like Leatherjackets, chafer grubs attack the grass roots causing identical symptoms, but being larger and creamy coloured it makes them easier to identify. Right : Close up of Chafer Grubs. The symptoms of both Leatherjackets and Chafer Grubs are the same :- Grass growth slows and yellow patches appear. Grass is easily pulled up, with little or no root growth. Big birds like magpies & crows peck at the grass in an attempt to eat the grubs and cause even more damage. Left : Typical Leatherjacket / Garden Chafer Grub damage. Apply Chafer Grub Killer to moist soil in July / August. This is when the grubs are active in the soil, near the surface and the soil temp is 12°c. Chafer Grub Killer contains a nematode called Heterorhabditis which kills Chafer Grubs but is harmless to children, wildlife and pets and also the lawn may be used immediately after application. Chafer Grub Killer is available in 2 pack sizes :- Chafer Grub Killer Large Pack - treats 100 sq.m / 125 sq. yds Economy Chafer Grub Killer - treats 500 sq.m / 625 sq.yds Chafer Grub Killer should be applied to the lawn when the soil temperature is over 12°C, the soil is moist (we recommend pre - watering the lawn) and the best time to apply is on a dull day or in the evening. Simply mix the nematodes with water and apply with a watering can, hoseend feeder or sprayer as follows :- Apply large packs with a watering can or hose-end feeder. Economy packs MUST be applied with a sprayer. Once you have applied the nematodes you MUST wash the nematodes into the soil underneath the lawn by watering again either manually or with a sprinkler. Instructions for the application of nematodes use a watering can, hose-end feeder or sprayer. (all packs come with full instructions) Click here for application instructions. N.B. Not all models of hose-end feeder are suitable - you need to use either the Phostrogen feeder by PBI Ltd - which we supply or the Miracle Grow hose-end feeder. Once you have applied Chafer Grub Killer to your lawn, the Chafer grubs will go through three stages before dying :- Stage1 - The nematodes invade the Chafer Grub and release a bacteria which starts to destroy it - there will be no visible change to the appearance of the chafer grub. Stage 2 - The nematodes continue to invade the chafer grub and the grubs will have visibly shrunk and the body cavity will start to turn black. As the grubs are now a less attractive food source, the birds and animals will start to leave the lawn alone. Stage 3 - The grubs will eventually turn black and die. The birds and animals will stop destroying the lawn as the food source has been removed. PRODUCTS AVAILABLE NAME DESCRIPTION PRICE ADD Chafer Grub Killer Large Pack treats 100sqm/125sq yds. Pre-order for delivery w/c 28/07. £29.99 Economy Pack treats 500sqm / 625sq yds. Pre-order for delivery w/c 28/07. £100.00 Coarse Rose Haws Rose no.7 Rose. £3.99 Hose-end Feeder Phostrogen Hose-end feeder. £9.99 Pumpless Sprayer Use for Economy packs. £39.50 Thermometer Robust and easy to use. £12.50 OTHER LAWN PRODUCTS The Green Weeder - CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE - control broadleaved weeds (such as dandelions) in lawns without the use of chemicals. Simply fill the hollow stick with coarse salt (dishwasher salt is ideal and cheap), push the nozzle onto the centre of the weed and a small amount of salt is released. After 2 weeks the weed will disappear and will not grow again. It is so easy and fast to use , that it's ideal for clearing large lawns of weeds. Customers report being able to clear 500 dandelions in an hour. Works on Dandelions and other broadleaved weeds. The Green Weeder is 1m tall so you do not even need to bend down. Stop Wormcasts - CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE - Discourage worms and stop wormcasts by applying Sulphur Lawn to lower the pH of your lawn - It is common knowledge that worms do not like acidic conditions (but your lawn does) so the more acidic your lawn the less problem worms and their casts will be. Worm casts are a real nuisance on lawns as they ruin the appearance of a fine lawn. Ignoring worm casts on your lawn by squashing them flat with your mower will create an uneven surface, smother existing grass & provide an ideal seed bed for weeds to grow. New for 2008 - Sulphur Lawn comes with a pH testing kit which allows you to monitor the pH of your lawn before and after application. Lawn Fertilisers - CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE - All lawn fertilisers have been reduced in price this year. Green Gardener has a range of 2 lawn feeds :- Organic Spring/summer fertiliser - This superb organic feed gives your lawn the very best. This fertiliser will give the lawn a quick boost to growth and will keep working for 3 months. Only two applications are needed a year. Autumn fertiliser - This superb autumn feed keeps grass healthy and happy through the winter. The fertiliser is released slowly over 6 months and will not be washed away by heavy winter rains. Only one application is needed in the autumn. New Product - Grass Treat - CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE - is a natural additive for speeding up the composting of grass clippings. Grass clippings are not an ideal compost material. If you add too many at a time, they compress together, let in little air or water, then collapse into a slimy, stinking mess. Stop this happening by adding this natural additive to your grass clippings. It contains natural bacteria and enzymes and accelerates the composting process by balancing the Carbon/Nitrogen ratio. is supplied as a powder and is added directly to the grass clippings. Compost treat for grass is pH Neutral, Environmentally friendly, Easy to use and Combines both bacteria and enzymes. Either sprinkle the powder directly over the grass clippings or dissolve in a mug full of warm water first and then add to the grass clippings. Either way, turn the grass clippings to distribute the product evenly. NutraIron - CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE - Nutra-Iron - A great lawn consists of just grass but every gardener knows that it is not just grass that grows. This organic treatment is watered on and encourages grass growth (forcing out the unwanted growth) and improves appearance - helping your lawn to recover and look good. Applying Iron will encourage the grass to grow which in turn will turn the unwanted growth black, so it can be raked out. Nutra-Iron with its fast acting water on formula contains high quality soluble iron, which is stronger and therefore more economical than other preparations. Nutra-iron also quickly improves the colour of the lawn, and treated grass is stronger and healthier, making it more resistant to pests, diseases and weeds. Grass seed - CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE - Need to repair your lawn? We offer both Fast Grass and a traditional grass seed mix. Fast grass - This is a grow in the bag lawn repair kit. Have lush green grass growing in as little as a week with the reseeded area ready to use in less than five weeks - much faster than standard grass. The grass seed is pre-germinated in the bag and once germinated, sprinkle onto the areas to be re-seeded. Landscape lawn seed - This seed mix is ideal for over-seeding an established lawn to repair damage caused by wear and tear/pest damage or for seeding a new lawn. Ant control - CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE - Ants is lawns can be a real problem. Tackle them by watering in the nematodes (steinernema feltiae) directly into the nests using a watering can when the soil is 10c or above and the ants are present. Comes as a powder, which will keep in the fridge for 2-3 weeks and should be used in one go once opened. The nematodes are safe for children, pets and wildlife and the lawn can be used directly after application. It is impossible to over-dose so simply re-apply as needed. Use our planned programme for persistent ant infestation - we send you fresh packs of nematodes at 4 weekly intervals so you can keep the ants at bay. Lawn tools - CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE - Many jobs are easier if you have the correct tools. Fertiliser Spreader - Accurate application of lawn feed is essential. This high quality and rustproof fertiliser spreader is delivered ready assembled. Use to apply fertilisers, grass seed and our new sulphur worm quickly and accurately. Pumpless sprayer - You MUST use a sprayer for applying ECONOMY packs of nematodes. This high quality pumpless sprayer holds 7.6 litres of spray and is pressurised automatically as the sprayer is filled with water. Ideal for applying other natural sprays. Why not turn your worthless kitchen waste into top quality compost and concentrated liquid feed! Our all in one wormeries come complete and ready to go.