The Petuaria Community Forum held a public seminar in March to discuss the problem of chafer bug infestation that has been prevalent in the area over the last year or two. Many gardeners and groundskeepers have seen their lawns and grassed areas decimated by the grubs that hatch and burrow beneath the surface.
Forum Chairman, Tony Galbraith opened proceedings, reporting that his own garden had fallen victim. This was followed by a presentation from local experts David McDonald of Koppert Biological Systems and Richard Pull of East Riding Horticulture. The speakers advocate the use of nematodes as a natural, biological solution which kills the chafer grubs in the ground.
The pair also discussed using a specific type of insect trap to catch the adult chafer beetles prior to the egg-laying season. This can provide a good indication of the likely level of infestation based on the number of beetles caught in the trap. To some extent the traps can also provide a degree of prevention by removing a number of active adult bugs from circulation.
The traps should be deployed through April and May – so now is the ideal time for residents to place the traps in their garden. They are stocked locally at Ellerker Lodge Garden Centre.
Nematodes are also available for pre-order so that treatment can begin later in the year.
Information about the chafer traps and commercial nematode pest control can be downloaded here…
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