Cockchafers

[Leek Inquiry]

Hi all,

I'm turning a neglected, grassy garden into a veg plot, and while digging out the beds I've found a lot of cockchafer grubs (and a few adults). They're horrible-looking, but from looking around the web I find that they eat roots (particularly grasses, which is a threat to my green manure - forage rye, and potatoes), which I was hoping to plant next year.

Question is, can I get rid of them? The only pesticide I found mentioned is implicated in bee colony collapse, so that's out of the question (I'd much rather use organic methods, but I'd prepared to use pesticides if they don't poison other species.)

In general, how much of a problem are they going to be? Is it a few specific crops that I'll have to forget about, or will they munch anything and everything?

Any advice much appreciated.

[chris]

You can buy a nemotode that'll target chafer grubs, or dig the ground over a few times, and leave it for the birds to come and pick through?

I have them in my garden - they don't really damage my veg.. just ruin my lawn. I dig a square out, turn it over and if I find them chuck them to my chickens then put the grass back.

[Leek Inquiry]

That's good to hear, thanks.

I'm only really worried about vegetables, as I don't really have lawn - apart from bare, packed earth under a big cherry tree, the couch grass and the moss have divided up the garden between them.

[Two_Sheds]

They tend to disappear once you start cultivating the soil

[Potstubsdustbins]

As the weather cools they will go deeper in the soil, then as spring arrives and things warm up they will turn into adults and take to the wing.

The area where I live has been infested with them this year and all the lawns around are in a disgusting state. I have not noticed any damage to my veggies though.

The biggest problem apart from them killing the grass seems to be that foxes and certain birds love them and cause even more damage by digging for them.

Colin

[Leek Inquiry]

Thanks, all. I'm reassured. I panicked a bit when I realised what they were, because I know a groundsman who had a hell of a job when his greens were infested a few years ago.

There are foxes nearby, according to the neighbours, so I'll just have to see if they cause any problems. Somehow the thought of birds and foxes incidentally uprooting stuff doesn't bother me as much as the thought of those ugly critters coming up invisibly from deep underground. Mind you, I might change my mind if it becomes a problem. :/

[snohare]

I can't for the life of me remember what, but I'm sure I remember reading there is a crop that is adversely affected by them eating the roots, as they do for grasses.
That said, crows and other birds love them, so if you turn one up put it somewhere they can get it, after a while you will find you have freelance security guards.
Do deep digging on a cold winter's day and you will really wipe them out. They absolutely can't stand low air temperatures, they rely on soil to protect them from thermal shock.