Topic: Chafer grubs

[mat]

okay, based upon the "other" thread.  I DO have chafer grubs in my new allotment. (my mother identified them a few weeks back for me!)  When I dig, I find them at about a spit depth and have killed all I have seen over the winter... but I am sure I have missed others.  I have probably killed about 30 or so over the winter. 

Therefore how much damage will the ones I have missed cause?  I know they eat plant roots, but believe they are slow moving, so will they affect just a few plants or could one affect many plants? 

I have also seen beetles, but at the time I didn't kill them as I thouvght them harmless and have to admit I don't know the difference between a chafer type beetle and a harmless ground beetle... (I know cockchafer beetles as they are HUGE! but the beetles I have seen have been below surface and small and black...

mat

[sandersj89]

They seem to be mainly a problem in lawns rather than veg patches:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0402/chafer.asp

There is a nematode control method that might be worth a look but I have never really thought of them as a problem in a veg plot.

Jerry

[mat]

Thanks Jerry, I'll see what happens.  I have killed quite a few so far, so hopefully I have made a dent in the numbers in case they are a problem.

mat