European chafers

European chafers cause damage when there are too many grubs in the soil. The adults do not harm plants, but can be eliminated as a preventive measure by hanging a light bulb above a pail of water and placing a large funnel in the bucket. Insects attracted by the light will slide down the funnel into the pail. In the morning, kill them by pouring soapy water down the funnel.

To prevent these insects from laying eggs in your lawn, keep it healthy. Fertilize and aerate the soil, mow the grass to a height of 6 to 8 cm, and space out waterings to avoid excess moisture and to allow the roots to extend deeper.

Skunks and other small mammals that dig holes in a lawn, or flocks of birds pecking at a lawn, can be signs of a grub infestation. To see how serious the problem is, lift up a 30 cm² square of sod. If you find more than five grubs in it, contact an exterminator to remedy the problem quickly.