CHAFER GRUBS "Until these nematodes, the birds and badgers were having a feast - Now I have my lawn back" Mrs P from Brighton. "My Dad's lawn was a wreck - yellow and horrible with clumps of grass coming out. He treated it with your Nemasys chafer grub killer last year. Now this year it is a lovely dark green - like a bowling green. We all want to treat our lawns now!" Mrs B from Norfolk. Treat chafer grubs in August / Sept. Treat chafer grubs in August / Sept. Chafer Grubs can devastate a lawn, but they can now be treated with nematodes. The first thing to do is to identify if it is chafer grubs which are attacking your lawn as a leatherjacket infestation can cause the same symptoms :- 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. Birds (& sometimes animals) attack the grass in an attempt to eat the grubs and cause even more damage. Larger birds such as magpies, crows & foxes/badgers indicate a chafer grub infestation. Smaller birds such as starlings indicate a leatherjacket infestation. Left : Typical Leatherjacket / Garden Chafer Grub damage. Identifying the pest - It may help to identify the adult pest which is responsible for the problem in your lawn. Spotting either of the adults should help you to identify which pest is present, BUT always inspect the lawn for the grubs to be sure. Adult Chafer Grubs - The adult Chafer Beetles emerge in May/June from the lawn and will mate before immediately laying eggs. Unfortunately these are often laid in the same place re-infesting the same lawn each year so the problem will progressively get worse year after year. Left : Adult Chafer Grubs. Sampling your lawn to identify 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. 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. Left : Close up of 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 near the surface and the soil temp is 12°c. Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. Right : Chafer grubs as discovered in our lawn. Below are some pictures taken by a customer which demonstrate how extensive some chafer grub infestations can be :- Apply Chafer Grub Killer to moist soil when the grubs are 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. 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. Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. £29.99 Economy Pack treats 500sqm / 625sq yds. Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. £100.00 Application methods - Nemasys® Chafer Grub Killer is supplied as a powder which is mixed with water and applied directly to the lawn with a watering can, hose-end feeder (100sqm packs only) or sprayer (500sqm packs only). Apply large packs with a watering can (fitted with a coarse rose) or hose-end feeder. Economy packs MUST be applied with a sprayer and cannot be split. Haws Rose no.7 Rose - Watering cans need to be fitted with a coarse rose. We recommend using the Haws Rose no.7 as not all roses are suitable. Coarse Rose Haws Rose no.7 Rose. £3.99 Hose-end feeder - Use for applying large packs of chafer grub. This feeder can also be used for applying plant food, acid plant food and tonic and lawn food. Attaches via standard snap fit hose-pipe connector and features both a rose head and jet spray and an on / off switch for water flow. Hose-end Feeder Hose-end feeder. £9.99 Pumpless Sprayer - You must use a sprayer for application of ECONOMY packs of nematodes. Our new pumpless sprayer holds 7.6 litres of spray and can be pressurised automatically as the sprayer is filled with water saving time and energy. Ideal for application of economy packs of leatherjackets and chafer grubs nematodes to lawns as well as other sprays including our new sulphur rose products. Pumpless Sprayer For application of economy packs of nematodes. £39.50 Soil Thermometer - Check that the temperature is correct for the application of nematodes with this robust and easy to read soil thermometer. Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer should be applied when the soil temperature is 10°c / 50°f. New design means that the thermometer can easily be read in situ. The thermometer is also very useful to check compost temperatures during seed germination and propagation. Over 10 cm long with a 3cm diameter face, makes it very easy to use. Soil Thermometer No more guesswork. £12.50 OTHER LAWN PRODUCTS Lawn food - Reduced in price - We have lawn food suitable for feeding your lawn throughout the year. Apply NOW! - Slow release AUTUMN lawn feed - This slow release autumn fertiliser is ideal for feeding the lawn in the autumn. The high potash content (15:5: 22) promotes good root growth and improves disease resistance through the winter. One application in the autumn lasts 6 months so only 1 application is needed . Available in 3 pack sizes - ideal for any size lawn. Simply apply 35g per sqm in the autumn. Stock up ready for next year - Spring / summer fertiliser - This superb ORGANIC feed gives your lawn the very best - naturally. Contains nitrogen, phosphate and potash (15:4:10) plus trace elements together with beneficial bacteria - essential for helping the grass to take up nutrients. This fertiliser will give a quick boost to growth AND will keep on working for 3 months. Only two applications are needed - one in the spring and one about 12 weeks later. Available in 3 pack sizes - ideal for any size lawn. Simply apply at a rate of 25grms per sqm. Autumn feed - reduced in price! 1 kg treats 30sqm was £14.50 saving £2.00 £12.50 5 kg treats 150sqm saving £25.50 was £47.00 saving a further £7.00 £40.00 10 kg treats 300sqm saving £27.00 was £67.00 saving a further £7.00 £60.00 Spring/ summer fertiliser 1 kg treats 40sqm £14.99 5 kg treats 200sqm saving £25.45 £49.50 10 kg treats 400sqm saving £29.50 £69.50 Control worms and stop wormcasts by lowering 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 can be 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. Discourage worm activity and stop wormcasts by applying Sulphur Lawn to lower the pH of your lawn. NEW - All orders for Sulphur Lawn comes with a pH testing kit which will allow you to monitor the pH of your lawn before and after application. The target pH to stop worm activity is 5-6. Sulphur Worm does not harm the worms, but by increasing the acidity of the soil it encourages worms to move elsewhere - the target pH is 5-6 to stop worm activity. Apply when worms are at their most active i.e. after periods of heavy rain usually in spring, early summer & autumn - for persistent wormcast problems apply every 2 months. 100% organic and is harmless to worms and other beneficial creatures. Plant nutrients in the soil become more available leading to better grass colour and improved growth. Which product is best for my lawn? For all lawns up to 100sqm use Sulphur Lawn Spray On. For larger lawns up to 200 sqm that are slightly acidic use Sulphur Lawn Spray On. For large lawns over 200 sqm and all alkaline lawns (pH 7+) use Sulphur Lawn Granules. Sulphur Lawn Spray On - Apply as a liquid using a sprayer or watering can - a 250g pack initially treats 50 sqm/65 sq yds / 1kg initially treats 200 sqm/260 sq yds. Re-apply at half strength every 2 months until pH of 5-6 is achieved. Supplied with a 2 test pH kit worth £1.59 (pictured far right) free to test your lawn before and after application. Sulphur Lawn Granules - apply as a granule through a fertiliser spreader (scroll down to find out more) a 5kg pack treats 330 sqm/400 sq yds. Re-apply at half strength every 2 months until pH of 5-6 is achieved. Supplied with a 30 test pH kit worth £5.95 (pictured right) free to test your lawn during application. Soil pH Meter - This battery free, re-usable pH meter is ideal for monitoring the pH of your lawn on an on going basis. It is also ideal for use in the garden - One of the most important factors affecting the growth of plants is the soil pH. Most plants require slightly acidic growing conditions with a soil pH of 6.5, whilst some like much more acidic conditions. This simple to use meter will give you an instant reading helping you provide the best possible conditions for your plants. Also ideal for use in wormeries to prevent acidic conditions developing. Simple to use, easy to read and no battery required. Instant check of the pH of borders, lawns and wormeries. Sulphur Lawn Spray On inc 2 test pH kit FOC - reduced in price! 1 x 250g treats 50 sqm / 65 sq yds was £13.50 saving £1.50 £12.00 1 x 1kg treats 200 sqm / 260 sq yds saving £10.00 was £44.00 saving a further £4.00 £40.00 Sulphur Lawn Granules inc 30 test pH kit FOC - reduced in price! 1 x 5kg treats 300 sqm / 400 sq yds was £59.50 saving £9.50 £50.00 pH Meter Battery free and easy to use £13.99 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. Nutra-Iron - Applying Iron encourages 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. Nutra-iron can also be used for greening up your lawn in which case, 1 x 500g will treat 3 times the area i.e. 300 sq yds or 250 sqm. Clean and easy to use. Simply store in its sealed tub and use as required. More concentrated that other products so less water is needed. Contains added nitrogen. Nutra-Iron - reduced in price! 500g treats 83 sqm / 100 sq yds was £13.75 saving £1.25 £12.50 1 kg treats 166 sqm / 200 sq yds saves £2.90 was £24.60 saving a further £4.60 £20.00 5kg treats 830 sqm / 1000 sq yds saves £33.50 £89.50 The Green Weeder controls broadleaved weeds (such as dandelions) in lawns without the use of chemicals. Simply fill the hollow stock 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. Grass Treat 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 which contains natural bacteria and enzymes and accelerates the composting process by balancing the Carbon/Nitrogen ratio. Grass Treat - is a powder which is either sprinkled 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. Grass treat is :- pH Neutral Environmentally friendly Easy to use Combines both bacteria and enzymes Fast grass lawn repair kit - Fast Grass is a "grow in the bag" lawn repair kit. Have lush green grass growing in as little as a week with the re-seeded area ready to use in less than five weeks. The grass seed is pre-germinated in the bag for 3-4 days using the unique accelerator included - this unique accelerator which gets the grass off to a flying start. Once germinated, sprinkle onto the areas to be re-seeded. Perfect for repairing any damaged areas of the lawn e.g. after chafer grubs or for starting a new lawn. Each pack covers 7sqm / 75 sq ft. Special Offer - 1 x Fast grass (to sow 7 sqm / 8 sq yds) was £13.95 NOW £12.50 saving £1.45. Contains 70% dwarf perennial rye grass. 30% slender creeping red fescue - the ideal mix for hard wearing low maintenance lawns. Can be stored cool and dry and used at any time from March to October. Green Weeder Simply fill with coarse salt. £22.00 NEW - Grass Treat 500g Grass Treat - use 25g per "bin bag" of grass clippings £14.99 Fast grass - reduced in price! 1 x Fast grass to sow 7 sqm / 8 sq yds was £13.95 saving £1.45 £12.50 Control Ants using Nematodes - Ant nests in lawns and borders can be a real problem. Simply water these nematodes (steinernema feltiae) directly into the nest using a watering can. Ideal for treating red ant nests in lawns but it will work on any colour ant. The nematodes come as a powder which will keep for up to 2 weeks in a fridge and should be used in one go once opened. As the ant nematodes are a cure rather than a preventative measure, apply the nematodes when the ants are present and the soil is 10°c i.e. between April & Sept. Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. Safe for children, pets and wildlife and it is safe to use the lawn directly after use. Simply repeat as often as is needed to keep the area free of ants - it is impossible to overdose. Totally safe to use near food crops. Each standard pack will treat up to 6 large ants nests. "Our lawn and surrounding flower beds have been plagued by vicious red ant nests for many years and I have tried everything to eradicate them........until I discovered your ant nematodes! What a marvellous cure. One application on each of the many nests has eradicated them in one go! I cannot believe the success. Thank you, thank you Green Gardener." Yours sincerely Paul Clark Ant nematodes Standard pack - treats up to 6 large ants nests. Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. £9.99 Large pack - Equivalent to 15 standard packs - treats up to 90 nests. Use all at once! Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. £29.99 Planned programme - 3 packs 4 weeks apart. Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. £19.98 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.