Targeting Lawn Pests with Precision and Care

Identify and Control Leather Jackets and Chafer Grubs Effectively

Finger pointing to a gray grub in dirt, with a small blueish-black insect nearby.
Leather jackets are greyish-brown larvae up to 30mm long, lacking legs and a distinct head. Their tough, leather-like skin helps them survive near the soil surface from late winter through autumn.
Chafer grubs have stout, white, C-shaped bodies with light brown heads and three pairs of legs. They grow up to 18mm and are most active from late summer to early spring beneath the turf.

Visual Guide: Leather Jackets vs Chafer Grubs

Cream-colored grub in a coiled position on a black, textured surface, possibly a compost bin.
DIY insect control methods often fail because consumer products lack the strength and precision needed to eliminate leather jackets and chafer grubs effectively. Licensed professionals use treatments unavailable to the public, ensuring deeper soil penetration and longer-lasting protection.
Our PA1 and PA6 certified team applies treatments at the optimal time and under the right conditions, maximising success while safeguarding children, pets, and beneficial insects. Trusting licensed experts reduces lawn damage and prevents costly repeat applications.

Why Professional Treatment Outperforms DIY Solutions

Brown grub on weathered wooden surface.
The best time to treat leather jackets and chafer grubs is late August through September, when larvae are young and actively feeding near the soil surface. Treatments applied during this window achieve higher success because the pests are more vulnerable and easier to target.
Soil temperature plays a critical role in treatment effectiveness. Applications require soil temperatures above 12°C to ensure active pest metabolism and product uptake. Spring treatments often fail as grubs have hardened after overwintering, making eradication more difficult and less reliable.

Timing and Soil Temperature: Keys to Successful Pest Management

Targeting Pest Cycles for Lasting Lawn Health

Ongoing Treatment Programmes to Prevent Future Infestations

Structured pest control plans disrupt leather jacket and chafer grub life cycles, reducing damage and wildlife disturbance over time.

Person using a wheeled lawn sprayer on a green lawn, spraying a white mist.

Seasonal Timing Aligned with Pest Activity

Treatments focus on late summer when crane fly adults emerge and chafer beetles lay eggs, stopping larvae before they damage your lawn.

Worm-like insect in brown dirt.

Integrated Pest Management Approach

Combining biological controls with professional-grade treatments ensures deeper soil penetration and longer-lasting protection than DIY methods.

Man in a yard, kneeling, planting something in a hole he dug. Green grass, house in background.

Wildlife Damage Prevention

Controlling grub populations reduces secondary damage caused by birds, badgers, and foxes searching for food in your turf.

Two golf holes in green grass, viewed from a low angle.

Tailored Programmes for Your Lawn

We design ongoing schedules based on your lawn’s condition and local pest cycles to maintain turf resilience year-round.

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Professional Expertise and Licensing

Our PA1 and PA6 certified team uses advanced formulations unavailable to consumers, ensuring effective and safe pest control.

Man in a hard hat spraying lawn with a hose in a backyard.

Prevent Recurrence with Proactive Care

Regular monitoring and timely treatments stop infestations before they start, preserving your lawn’s appearance and health.

Real Results, Healthy Lawns

“After struggling with grub damage for years, Lawnforce’s expert treatment restored my lawn’s lush green appearance within weeks. Their professional approach made all the difference.”

Sarah M., Homeowner, Harrogate
Close-up of bright green grass in front of a brick house with a well-kept lawn on a sunny day.
Person in gloves tending to a hole in a grassy lawn.

Accurate Pest Identification Starts Here

Schedule Your Free Lawn Assessment Today

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