Leatherjackets

[susiewoosie]

I have what I think are leatherjackets in my raised beds, but when I look for advice it says that they grow in the grass. Please help, I lost all my lettuce plants and when I looked all I could see was these bugs.

My raised beds were used to grow cabbages aqnd I had no problems with them. They have a mixture of manure, mpc and top soil in them. Nothing was added before I planted the lettuce.

[Nicos]

Is this what you've got??

http://www.ruralni.gov.uk/print/full...rjaclets-2.jpg

If its imported top soil, then maybe after removing the top grass you got the soil with the larvae in it ????

[rustylady]

Susie, can you post a picture?

[susiewoosie]

Is this what you've got??

http://www.ruralni.gov.uk/print/full...rjaclets-2.jpg

If its imported top soil, then maybe after removing the top grass you got the soil with the larvae in it ????

Hey Nicos the thing is that they weren't there when I was growing the cabbages. Now I've found it in a container that has only MPC in it.

Susie, can you post a picture?

Hey Rusty they're the same as in the picture Nicos posted.

Should I just get some nematodes for it do you guys think?

[Nicos]

I can't see any harm in doing that-I found this advert although I' sure there are different companies producing it

Leatherjacket lawn damage, Nemasys nematode pest control - nemasysinfo.co.uk

It says apply around the end of August- so it might be wise getting some in now ready.
Have a look at the info in the advert.....

"When you start to see the adult daddy-long-legs in your garden (towards the end of August) you will know that in a few days they will be laying eggs. These will hatch quickly, therefore, aim to apply two weeks after you see the adults."

As far as I can see- you'll need to keep the soil damp after application so the nematodes survive and can move about.
Whay not give them a ring- and let us know what they suggest????

[Nicos]

Just a thought- how's your lawn...and your neighbours lawns???
You might be being infested from there

[susiewoosie]

I don't have grass in my gadden and the neighbours looks fine. It seems like the wrong time for them as well. Yucky bugs.

[organic vic]

Hi I also found them after installing my raised beds at the beginning of the year and I am still finding them although I haven't lost any crops to them except a baby calabrese months ago so still had time to replace it! I ordered nematodes when I found the first ones but they won't be delivered until August so in the meantime I have been chopping them up when found. My neighbour told me that they were in his grass but I never noticed them until I got the imported soil for the raised beds. But I have since found them in the grass. They like to congregate under the wooden paths between the beds and under plant pots so I check daily and chop any I find I also kill the daddy long legs! I thought as the nematodes were only available from August onwards that this would be the time they are around but so far I have had them all year Hopefully the nematodes will work as I hate the way they look - like old wrinkly worms! and the damage they can do!

[susiewoosie]

They remind me of the worms from Tremors. Maybe I was unlucky to lose all my lettuce.

[susiewoosie]

These are the best pictures I could get.

[basketcase]

They remind me of the worms from Tremors. Maybe I was unlucky to lose all my lettuce.

Ah the Graboids! Love that film!

[susiewoosie]

Thats the name of them. I've seen the films that many times I should be able to remember the name

[susiewoosie]

Hi just seeing if anyone has any other advice for me