Expert Leatherjacket Control Services in the UK

Leatherjackets are the larvae of craneflies (often called daddy longlegs). While many cranefly species are harmless, some larvae feed on living plant material—particularly grass roots—and can cause major lawn decline if left untreated.

How Leatherjackets Damage Lawns and Beds

• Lawns: thinning grass, yellow or brown patches, and turf that lifts easily because roots have been eaten
• Seedlings: loss of young plants in beds and veg plots where larvae feed around stems and roots
• Secondary damage: birds and animals can tear up turf while hunting the larvae

How to Confirm Activity

• Lift a small section of affected turf and check the top soil for grey-brown, legless larvae
• Watch for birds (crows, magpies, rooks, starlings) pecking lots of small holes
• Soak an area and cover it overnight to encourage larvae to surface

Our Treatment Approach

We apply a 100% biological control that is watered into the turf or soil. It targets the pest without harsh residual chemicals, helping stop feeding and reduce numbers safely. For best results, soil must be moist and well-drained, and the area should be kept evenly watered for at least two weeks after application.

Aftercare for Best Results

• Keep the treated area consistently damp (not waterlogged) for two weeks
• Avoid heavy use while the turf recovers
• Mow at a sensible height and feed appropriately to encourage regrowth
• Rake out dead thatch and overseed thin patches once activity has dropped

Preventing Future Infestations

Monitor for cranefly activity in late summer, act early on discoloured patches, maintain lawn health (drainage, nutrition and mowing), and consider timely treatment right after cranefly flights—typically late August—when young larvae are most susceptible.