My grass was ruined from leatherjackets bugs – a 10p kitchen hack got rid of them overnight & now my lawn is green again
A NIGHTMARE pest is wreaking havoc on gardens across the UK and could be ruining your lawn.
But a simple 10p kitchen hack can get rid of the pesky critters overnight and get your lawn looking lush again.
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Leatherjackets are the larvae of the crane fly (daddy long-legs) and live just beneath the surface of the lawn before emerging as adult flies.
They're legless grubs with tough, leathery skin and can grow up to 3cm in length.
And experts say that infestations are rife this year.
Although harmless to humans and pets, these pests can quickly turn your green grass into sparse, brown patches.
This is because they damage the roots of your grass, causing it to die on the surface.
New build homes and gardens are being hit hard in particular due to the leatherjackets' love of new turf.
But the Gardening on a Budget Official Facebook group has provided a genius and budget-friendly solution.
Commenting on a user's worse for wear garden, expert Suzanne recommended throwing slices of bread on the lawn.
She said: "Throw several whole slices of bread on the lawn.
"Then the starlings will come down and feast on the leatherjackets (works for me!)."
5 lawn mowing tips to get good grass this summer
All effective pesticides to treat such pests have been banned in the UK since 2016.
But there are other methods to tackle the leatherjackets and restore your lawn, according to Matthew Martin from nematode producer Nemasys.
Martin told the Express: "To encourage them off the lawn, you can saturate the grass with black sacks or tarpaulin overnight.
"In the morning, the grubs will have risen to the surface and will be easy to see."
Once at the surface, you can discard of the pests yourself or leave them to the birds.
Martin also recommended using nematodes, naturally occurring, microscopic worms that can target and kill the leatherjackets.
According to Martin, they arrive as "dried granules" which can be mixed with water, such as in a watering can, before being applied to your lawn.
He recommends applying them first thing in the morning or at night to "avoid weakening the nematodes with harsh direct sunlight".
Ben Agnew, a grass expert at Lawnsmith, advises that "prevention is easier than the cure" but that nematodes are a good way of combating the grubs.
He said: "Nematodes get rid of leatherjackets by infiltrating their outer casing and subsequently killing them.
"Leatherjackets can cause considerable damage, and even after treatment, it can be challenging to restore your lawn to its former state.
"It can take your garden some time to return to its former glory."
But he says the best course of action is to remove the dead patches of grass from your lawn and re-seed the area.
Applying fertiliser across your lawn can help maintain its overall health.
Lawns with poor drainage are more likely to suffer from a leatherjacket infestation, so addressing this problem is also key.
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