Leatherjacket Nematodes Leatherjacket Nematodes
Leatherjackets, the legless greyish brown lavae of the crane fly (daddy long legs) feed on grass roots from September through to the following summer.

They pupate in the summer and adults emerge, sometimes in huge numbers, in August ready to lay eggs again. The larvae weaken the lawn which can then be pulled up by birds feeding on the larvae. Larvae may move from lawn areas to neighbouring flower beds.

The nematodes which are microscopic transparent worms feed and multiply within the larva. Apply to a well watered lawn. Best applied in the evening or on a dull day, soil temperatures must be at least 10oC. Treatment can be repeated in the spring with severe infestations.