If mystery holes like these suddenly appear on your spring lawn, suspect bird damage, particularly starlings. These will be searching for grubs (usually leatherjackets or chafer grubs) in the turf. We dealt with leatherjackets and how to remove them, last year. But if damage is serious (i.e. there has been considerable root and/or young shoot damage), you will see dead patches suddenly appear (around where the holes are) during dry spells. If you pull the grass, it can be removed easily. If you really suspect grub damage, best to remove a divet of turf with a trowel and search in the turf for them. You can also water the lawn, then cover with a light-proof sheet overnight. Leatherjackets will be seen in the morning if they are there, and can be picked off. You'll need to be early, though. Otherwise, it's chemicals. TREATMENT FOR LAWN GRUBS 'Provado Lawn Grub Killer' is very effective. See last year's posts (first link). However, one or two grubs will not do much harm. So I would not recommend using this treatment unless absolutely necessary. You can also use nematode worms as a non-chemical approach. But they're expensive, not always effective, and need specific temperature and moisture conditions.
14 April 2011
Troubleshooting Mystery Holes On A Spring Lawn
If mystery holes like these suddenly appear on your spring lawn, suspect bird damage, particularly starlings. These will be searching for grubs (usually leatherjackets or chafer grubs) in the turf. We dealt with leatherjackets and how to remove them, last year. But if damage is serious (i.e. there has been considerable root and/or young shoot damage), you will see dead patches suddenly appear (around where the holes are) during dry spells. If you pull the grass, it can be removed easily. If you really suspect grub damage, best to remove a divet of turf with a trowel and search in the turf for them. You can also water the lawn, then cover with a light-proof sheet overnight. Leatherjackets will be seen in the morning if they are there, and can be picked off. You'll need to be early, though. Otherwise, it's chemicals. TREATMENT FOR LAWN GRUBS 'Provado Lawn Grub Killer' is very effective. See last year's posts (first link). However, one or two grubs will not do much harm. So I would not recommend using this treatment unless absolutely necessary. You can also use nematode worms as a non-chemical approach. But they're expensive, not always effective, and need specific temperature and moisture conditions.
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