Full Description

Crane flies or daddy long legs lay their eggs in the same area of lawn from which they emerge, so numbers increase rapidly. These eggs hatch in August / Sept and the larvae immediately start to feed on the grass roots. The leatherjackets will feed though the autumn, before overwintering. They start feeding again the following spring and gorge on grass roots before pupating to emerge as adults in August. The symptoms of an attack are that grass growth slows and yellow patches appear PLUS the grass easily pulled up with little or no root growth. One of the biggest indicators of an infestation are birds, particularly starlings, which will pull at the lawn (causing even more damage) in search of the leatherjackets to eat.

Leatherjackets – In August, customers report clouds of daddy long legs emerging from lawns in early morning leaving behind the casings sticking up in the lawn. As the daddy long legs emerge, they start to lay their eggs back in infected lawns starting the whole cycle again – the next generation of leatherjackets hatch within 2 weeks. Leatherjackets are up to 2.5cm / 1″ long, greyish black in colour, legless and with no distinct head. We recommend treating with Leatherjacket Nematodes in late autumn i.e. Sept / Oct / Nov when the leatherjackets are newly hatched, close to the surface and the soil is warm and the leatherjackets are the most susceptible to the nematodes. You can treat during the rest of the year, but you need to apply the treatment at double strength.

Control leatherjackets naturally by applying Leatherjacket Nematodes containing millions of nematodes (Steinernema Feltiae) to the infected lawn as soon as the leatherjackets are discovered (and the soil temperature is 10c) or when the leatherjackets are active i.e. in the autumn (Sept / Oct / Nov) and in the spring (April). Leatherjacket Nematodes are effective at killing leatherjackets, but is harmless to children, wildlife and pets and the lawn may be used immediately after application. Apply as follows :-

• Apply Leatherjacket Nematodes in Sept/Oct/Nov – This is the ideal time to treat as the soil is warm PLUS the leatherjackets are newly hatched, the soil is warm (needs a daytime soil temp of 12c) and are the most susceptible to the nematodes, so if you have had leatherjackets in the past or have discovered a leatherjacket infestation or your neighbours are infested and you want to keep them at bay, treat in Sept/Oct/Nov. When applying in the autumn, each 50m Nematode pack will treat 100 sqm. 
  
• Apply Leatherjacket Nematodes when leatherjackets are discovered – Leatherjacket Nematodes are normally applied in September as this is when the leatherjackets are newly hatched and most susceptible to the nematodes, but if you have discover leatherjackets (not daddy long legs) at any other time of year i.e. in the spring/summer then treat at double strength as the mature leatherjackets are much harder to kill, but you must treat in September as well. When applying in the spring / summer at double strength, each pack will treat 50 sqm.
  

How to apply? – Leatherjacket Nematodes are easy to use. Simply mix the harmless powder with water & apply to the lawn using a watering can fitted with a rose (we recommend the Haws Rose no.14) or use a hose-end feeder / Easynem applicator or nematode applicator for larger areas. Leatherjacket Nematodes should be applied to a moist lawn (we recommend pre – watering) on a dull day or in the evening. After application you MUST wash the nematodes into the lawn by watering heavily with a hose or a sprinkler. Once applied the nematodes will seek out the leatherjacket larvae and on contact they enter the larvae and destroy it. Having destroyed the leatherjacket ,the nematodes multiply and are released back into the soil to hunt down more leatherjackets.

How is it sent? – Nematodes are a perishable, living product, so it is sent out fresh by Royal Mail 1st class post. Being a perishable, living product, it must be used before the expiry date (which is marked on the inside of the pack and will be at least 2 weeks) and it must be stored in the fridge until it is needed. Once opened, the contents do not keep, so it must be used in one day – do NOT store the made up solution or powder.