Lawn Pests

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Some lawn problems are caused by pests. Below you can find more information about dealing with Earthworms, Ants, Moles and Leatherjackets.

Earthworms

Worms are actually beneficial in the garden - they make hundreds of tiny drainage channels in the soil. They also drag organic matter, such as dead leaves, into the ground, helping with soil enrichment. However, some species of worm leave worm casts on the lawn's surface (mainly in spring and autumn). When the weather is dry sweep the worm casts off the lawn with a stiff broom.

Ants

Ants like nesting in dry soil in lawns in summer and they will defend their nests, often giving you nasty nips. Ants usually target lawns which are thin and have lots of bare soil, so keeping a good lawn will deter them. Soak new nesting sites thoroughly with water to drive ants away, if this doesn’t work don’t worry; the whole colony will fly away in late Summer.

Moles

Moles burrow beneath lawns in search of earthworms. There are lots of  ways you can try to get rid of moles but none of them are 100% successful and even if you do get rid of one it is highly likely that another will move into it’s place soon afterwards. As a final resort you can call in a mole catcher. If you accept the moles just remember to brush the molehill back into the hole to avoid bare batches and a sunken lawn.

Leatherjackets

Leatherjackets are the larvae of the crane fly (daddy-long-legs) and they eat grass roots. The first thing you know about it is lots of little yellow patches, or flocks of starlings probing for grubs and there isn’t an awful lot you can do about it except repair the pecked-up surface after the birds have finished.