Garden expert's warning over 'lawn's worst nightmare' that can 'decimate' grass

Budding gardeners are warned to lookout for a lawn-destroying pest that can wreak havoc on your grass.

With the sunshine finally here, more and more of us are heading outside to make the most of the garden. But according to the lawn experts at GreenThumb it is also the prime egg-laying season for one particularly pesky grub.

Once hatched, chafer grubs, the larvae of chafer beetles, will begin to eat grass roots and could ruin your lawn completely unless something is done about it.

Pro Steve Taylor from the company told The Express: "Chafer grubs are a lawn’s worst nightmare. They attack your lawn from underground, going straight for the roots. Even more damage can be caused by foxes, badgers and birds digging to try and feed on them."

Chafer beetles lay their eggs in spring and the grubs will begin to hatch two and three weeks after this. Signs you have an infestation include the lawn losing colour in areas, appearing pale green or patchy. You may even see small white grubs near the surface of the lawn.

GreenThumb is urging anyone wanting to avoid "lawn decimation" this summer to seek treatment immediately, whilst the grubs are still small. The experts said: "Now's the time to apply our chafer grub solution because, if you don't do anything, the grubs will start to grow and cause catastrophic damage to your lawn."

Oliver Johnson at HomeAdviceGuide.com , meanwhile, has shared some of the common garden mistakes that could be 'recipe for disaster' for your lawn this summer.

First up, he warns against over-watering your grass which leads to 'waterlogging, which stunts root development'.

This can also encourage moss to take over since it thrives in damp environments and is actually a sign of poor drainage in gardens. So, during dry spells, stick to just an inch of water each week to keep the grass quenched and healthy.

Johnson also warns against mowing your lawn too short - also known as scalping - branding it a 'recipe for disaster' as it 'stresses the grass' and makes it vulnerable to disease and pests. The pro says it is best to keep your grass with at least three inches of height to help it maintain its strength and health.

And finally, Johnson warns against the 'detrimental' effects of applying either too little or too much fertiliser.

According to Rivulis , excess fertiliser can cause a whole host of issues including stunted growth, yellowing and wilting of plant leaves, and rotting roots. This is because if there is too much fertiliser in the soil, plants and grass can't take up the water. If you use too little, you're not going to reap the effects - so make sure you properly read the instructions before adding to your lawn.

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