Home / Pests
Leatherjackets
Crane fly larvae (Tipula spp.)
Leatherjackets are the grubs of the crane fly, or daddy long legs. They hatch in late summer and eat grass roots all through autumn, winter and spring, leaving yellow, dead patches that birds tear open to reach them.
- Found inLawns and sports turf
- Best time to treatSeptember to October
The grub: a grey-brown, legless leatherjacket 
The adult: the crane fly, or daddy long legs
Signs
How to tell you have leatherjackets
- Yellow or brown patches that spread in autumn and spring
- Crows, rooks and starlings pecking at the lawn
- Turf that lifts easily, with little root underneath
- Grey-brown, legless grubs up to 4 cm long just below the surface
How to check
Water a patch well, cover it overnight with black plastic or a damp sack, and lift it in the morning. Leatherjackets come up to the surface and are easy to count.
Timing
When to treat
Grubs feedingBest time to treat
Treat in September or October while the grubs are small and the soil is still above 12°C. Young grubs are easier to control and have not yet done their worst damage.
The treatment
Nematodes for leatherjackets
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nemastar - Leatherjacket Nematodes
Steinernema carpocapsae, targeted at leatherjackets in lawns, borders and veg plots.
From €19.95
Delivered across Ireland by tracked courier, packed to stay fresh. Order by 10:00 on Wednesday for delivery the following week. Days can change around bank holidays in Ireland and Germany.
Lawn calculator
How many nematodes does your lawn need?
Enter the size of your lawn and we'll work out the right pack for the pest you're treating.
Recommended packs
We round up to whole packs so every part of the lawn gets a full dose.
Why biological control
Natural pest control, without the drawbacks
Chemical pesticides can leave residues behind in the garden. Beneficial nematodes work differently. They hunt the pest in the soil, then die back naturally once it is gone.
No chemical residues
Nematodes are living organisms, not chemicals, so there are no chemical residues on lawns, fruit or vegetables.
Safe around people and pets
Safe to use around children, pets and wildlife. You can use the garden as normal after watering them in.
A targeted effect
Each nematode seeks out its target pest in the soil and leaves everything else alone.
Found naturally in soil
Beneficial nematodes already live in healthy soil. We simply add more where the pests are.
Works differently from sprays
Nematodes hunt pests and enter their bodies, a completely different way of working from chemical sprays.
How to apply
Six simple steps
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Store cold
Fridge at 2–8°C. Never freeze.
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Pick your time
Evening or a dull day, soil 12°C+.
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Mix
Stir the pack into a bucket of water.
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Apply
Water it on. Keep stirring as you go.
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Water in
Keep soil moist for 2 weeks.
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See results
Nematodes start working within days of watering in.
Everything you need comes in the pack. Delivered across Ireland, packed to stay fresh.