Chafer Grub & Leatherjacket Grub Treatment

Chafer Grub & Leatherjacket Treatment in Surrey & Sussex

If your lawn is developing yellowing patches, thinning areas, or turf that lifts easily from the soil, lawn grubs may be feeding beneath the surface.

At Lawn Tiger, we provide professional chafer grub and leatherjacket treatments across Surrey, Sussex and surrounding areas using the only UK legally approved professional insecticide for controlling young lawn grubs in amenity turf.

Correct identification and precise timing are essential. Treatment is only effective when young larvae are present.

What Are Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets?

Chafer grubs are the larvae of chafer beetles. Leatherjackets are the larvae of crane flies, often known as daddy longlegs.

Both live beneath the soil surface and feed on grass roots. As roots are eaten, the lawn may:

• Turn yellow or brown in patches

• Feel spongy underfoot

• Lift like loose carpet

• Attract birds and wildlife digging for food

Significant infestations can weaken large areas of turf and may require renovation work after control.

Professional Grub Control

We apply a professional-use insecticide approved in the UK for control of both chafer grubs and leatherjackets in amenity turf.

It works by disrupting the feeding of newly hatched larvae. It is only effective against young grubs that have recently emerged from eggs.

Mature grubs are unlikely to be significantly impacted.

For this reason, treatment timing is carefully aligned with the lifecycle:

• June – for young chafer grubs after egg hatch

• October – for young leatherjackets after egg hatch

Applications outside these windows are unlikely to deliver meaningful control, as older larvae are more resilient.

After application, irrigation is required to move the product into the root zone where larvae are feeding. We provide clear aftercare guidance to ensure the treatment reaches its target zone.

Why Timing Matters

Grub control is not a year-round solution. It is a targeted intervention at a very specific stage of insect development.

If treatment is applied too early, eggs may not yet have hatched.
If applied too late, larvae may already be too large to control effectively.

This is why early assessment and forward planning are important. Preventative timing offers the best chance of limiting root damage before it becomes severe.

What Results Should You Expect?

The grub treatment reduces populations of young chafer grubs and leatherjackets and helps prevent further root feeding. It's not a miracle cure but focuses on breaking the grub life cycle.

It does not repair existing damage. If significant root and grass loss has already occurred:

• The lawn may require overseeding

• Thinned areas may need renovation, especially if thatch is present

• Recovery may take time

Even well-maintained lawns can suffer infestations. Adult beetles and crane flies lay eggs without regard for lawn quality. It is often simply unfortunate timing.

Newer lawns and recently turfed areas can sometimes show higher incidence where eggs were present at installation; especially for new build properties that are more likely to have turf laid.

Is The Treatment Safe?

Yes. When applied correctly by trained professionals, grub treatments can be carried out safely on domestic lawns.

At Lawn Tiger, safety is not an afterthought. It is built into how we operate.

• Our technicians are fully trained and certified in professional pesticide application

• We are members of the UK Lawn Care Association

• We are accredited under BASIS Lawn Assured, meaning our practices are independently audited to recognised environmental and safety standards

• We use professional, calibrated application equipment to ensure accurate and controlled dosing

• We follow strict label guidance and best practice at all times

Correct calibration is particularly important. Professional equipment allows us to apply products evenly and at the precise rate specified, avoiding under or over application.

After treatment, we provide clear guidance on watering and re-entry times. Once applied and watered in according to instructions, the lawn can be used normally.

As with any regulated plant protection product, the key factor is not just the product itself, but who is applying it and how carefully it is used.

Professional training, correct timing and proper equipment make the difference.

Signs You May Have Lawn Grubs

Common warning signs include:

• Yellowing or thinning patches in summer or autumn.

• Small defined circular holes visible in bare patches of soil, made by Leatherjackets; they can cause widespread bare patches of lawn in a short space of time.

• Grass lifting easily from the soil

• Birds, foxes or badgers pecking or tearing at the lawn

• Areas failing to respond to feeding

Not all patchy lawns are caused by grubs. Compaction, drought stress and disease can present similarly. Correct diagnosis prevents unnecessary treatment.

Chafer Grub & Leatherjacket Grub Treatment in Surrey, Sussex & Kent

We provide professional lawn grub assessment and treatment across:

• Surrey

• West Sussex

• East Sussex

• Selected areas of Kent

If you suspect grub damage, early assessment is essential. Treatment windows are limited and cannot be applied effectively outside the correct lifecycle stage.

Book a Lawn Survey

If your lawn is showing signs of chafer grub or leatherjacket damage, contact Lawn Tiger for a professional diagnosis and timing advice.

We only recommend treatment where evidence of grub activity is present and where the lifecycle stage is appropriate for effective control.