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European Chafer Beetle
What Happened to My Lawn?
You may have noticed the grass isn’t looking so green in Gibsons. The culprit? The European Shaffer beetle. Grubs feed on the roots of grass, causing it to wilt, turn yellow and become easily removable by wildlife. Raccoons, skunks and crows then dig up the turf to reach the grubs, which causes most of the visible damage.
How do you control them?
Prevention is the best method.
The best way to prevent chafer beetle damage is to ensure your lawn is well watered and fertilized.
Chafer beetles are more likely to choose thin or stressed lawns. To improve resistance:
- Keep grass longer at a height of 6 to 9 centimetres
- Fertilize and lime lawns as part of regular maintenance
- Aerate compacted soil
- Water deeply rather than frequently
- Limit thatch buildup
- Consider overseeding or replacing turf with tall fescue or other grass seed blends that are less attractive to grubs
Life Cycle of the European Chafer beetle
- Summer to early fall: Adult beetles lay eggs in lawns.
- Fall to early spring: Grubs grow and feed on roots and wildlife begin to dig them up.
- Spring: Wildlife activity continues.
- Late spring to early summer: Adult beetles emerge.
- Late summer to fall: New eggs hatch and the cycle repeats.
Most serious lawn damage occurs in fall and early spring when grubs are increasing in size.
What to do if your lawn is being dug up
In the cooler months, there is no direct treatment for grubs. However, you can:
- Replace torn turf and remove loose soil
- Place poultry wire over damaged areas and secure it to the ground. The poultry wire prevents animals from digging while the grubs continue through their life cycle.
- Raise mowing height to support deeper roots
How to treat a Chafer beetle infestation
- The most common option is beneficial nematodes. These are microscopic organisms that enter the grubs and kill them. They are available at many local garden centres. Treatment is based on a yearly schedule:
- October to March: No treatment available. Rake and repair as needed. Animals feeding on grubs may help reduce numbers.
- April to June: Purchase nematodes in preparation for application.
- July: Apply nematodes following the instructions on the package. Water the lawn well before and after application. Keep soil moist for two to three weeks.
- August to September: Maintain soil moisture and apply a slow-release fertilizer to help lawn recovery.
- Another option is Grub B Gon Max. This product contains a type of bacteria that affects grubs in soils and can help reduce populations when applied in mid to late summer.
Consistent yearly treatment is important because new beetles return to lay eggs each season.
Further information:
European_chafer_beetle_brochure44249.pdf
