is there any way i can get rid of the maggots in my lawn?

Question

I put down turf in september it took well but now I have lots of maggots in the turf and lots of the grass has gone. I re-seeded it but it has only grown here and there.

I put down turf at the end of september,it took well but now it has lots of bare patches and it is covered with maggots in the turf.I re-seeded it but it has only come back in fine patches,it`s` as if the maggots are eating it.I live in the midlands UK

Answer 1

Stop burying the bodies in the yard?? Just kidding with ya.. You need to buy a bug killer spray or some spread and then wait a day. You can get this at Home Depot or Lowe's. Then re-seed.

Best of luck to you

Answer 2

Ok... what you are calling 'maggots', is more likely 'grubs'.. and I can tell you now, that grubs are a favorite meal of gophers.. .so, if you don't get rid of them soon... youre going to have a bunch of gophers to deal with.

CASTOR OIL - believe it or not, will kill the grubs, and it is safe for the rest of the lawn. Just pour some into a pump sprayer and go over your yard with it, evenly covering the whole yard.

Of course, you could resort to insecticides too... these are also very effective, and come in liquid or dry forms. (the dry forms you can put in your grass, or fertilizer spreader). Scott Brand insectisides work very well, but its not the only one out there. If you don't like using pesticides, then go with the castor oil.

All part of having a yard to maintain, heheheh

Have Fun

Answer 3

Again as per previous answers, doubt if they are maggots.

If they are leather jacks, then get some good green way of getting rid of them fast! They will ruin your lawn very very quickly if you have an infestation.

Check out

www.greengardener.co.uk

for some good advice and products.

If you want something cheap and nasty (pesticides) then ask at your local garden centre / suppliers and they will have a specific treatment for the perishers. Otherise try attracting more of the feathered friends into the garden by seed, suet balls, etc, this time of year they are really stocking up on food for the breeding season, one good way would be to buy some dried maealworms (approx £4 for a tub) and sprinkle them on the lawn to attract starlings, blackbirds and thrush, all good birds to have a go at them,
Good Luck, just don't leave them there!

Answer 4

Throw bird feed all over the lawn to attract the birds who will spot the maggots and scoff them. Plant some bird friendly plants such as Budlia around the garden and some boxes for the ****. By encouraging the birds you will keep down the insects. Finally if you are over watering the lawn this will atract insects.

Answer 5

They're leatherjacket grubs (turn into craneflys). Yes, they're bu**ers for destroying the lawn as they eat the roots of the grass. You can get a water-on treatment for them at most garden centres, though probably not too relevant at the moment!

The other way is to encourage birds in, they love 'em.

PS Just discovered this : http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/leatherj.htm

Answer 6

Yep there leatherjackets.You have probably got loads of starlings about.

Try to encourage the birds.onto the lawn but if you treat remember try not to use something that will kill the eartworms which will help with drainage and nutrients for your lawn.

Answer 7

Colin M is right and they damage agricultural grass as well as lawns. Starlings are great at picking them out and eating them. Try and encourage birds into your garden - they will help this problem.

Answer 8

Your maggots are leatherjackets..which are crane fly larvae(daddy longlegs) encourage Bird into your garden,Starlin's are particularly usefull as they relay have taste for them or have a look at this;
http://www.greengardener.co.uk/leatherj.htm

Answer 9

Yes, get rid of the dog turds!
Joking... Thats strange, looks like you need some sort of insecticide to get rid eh?

Answer 10

They actually make a mix just for lawn grubs I believe there is one called Grub-Ex.