Your Ultimate Guide to Leatherjackets

Leatherjackets are one of the most common and frustrating lawn pests in the UK. Unfortunately, they seem to be on the rise in domestic and commercial lawns. But why?

If your once-lush lawn is starting to thin, turn yellow, or feel spongy underfoot, there’s a good chance that leatherjackets could be the cause. The good news is, there’s always a solution!

In this article, our turf experts share everything you need to know about leatherjackets in your lawn. From what they are and why leatherjackets occur to identifying and treating leatherjackets without damaging your grass, this is the guide for you.

Contents Overview:

• What are leatherjackets?
• How will leatherjackets damage my lawn?
• Why is there an increase in leatherjackets?
• How do I know if I have leatherjackets in my lawn?
• Leatherjacket timelines
• How to treat leatherjackets
• Can a lawn recover from leatherjackets
• Speak to the experts
• FAQs

What Are Leatherjackets

Leatherjackets are the larvae of crane flies, known to most of us as daddy longlegs. They have a maggot-like shape, a grey/brown colour, and no legs. They can range in size from 3 to 40mm and live in the soil beneath your turf.

In the UK, there are two common types of leatherjackets with very different breeding cycles. The type of leatherjacket you’re dealing with determines when issues are most likely to occur.

The two types of leatherjackets in the UK:

1. Tipula paludosa: The European crane fly has a single breeding lifecycle per year. Females appear between August and September to lay their eggs. Once larvae mature into adults, they tend to remain in the same area, leading to higher population levels.

2. Tipula oleracea: The common crane fly has two breeding lifecycles: August to September and May to June, which increase egg production throughout the year. These adult crane flies venture farther afield, so population levels are more dispersed.

How Will Leatherjackets Damage My Lawn?

Many lawns thrive with leatherjackets, causing no visible or detrimental impact to your grass. However, if the number of leatherjackets increases, your turf roots become vulnerable, which stresses your turf and can lead to bigger lawn problems.

Leatherjackets feed off your turf’s roots. So, the longer they are left, the more damage they can cause, including:

• Weakening root systems
• Breaking water and nutrient sources
• Patchy areas of growth
• Thinning sward
• Discolouring grass to yellow or brown

Why Is There An Increase In Leatherjackets in the UK?

The landscaping industry is aware that leatherjackets are a growing concern for UK lawns. But we also know that with the right knowledge and timely action, they can be managed effectively.

The first question to ask is, why are leatherjacket populations increasing? We believe that:

• Wetter soils help larvae eggs survive, leading to larger populations
• Milder seasons extend larvae feeding times
• Increased rainfall keeps soil conditions damp and ideal for larvae activity
• Decrease in predators due to higher urbanisation

How Do I Know If I Have Leather Jackets In My Lawn?

There are some clear signs to help identify if you have larvae in your lawns. Spotting leatherjackets early can make all the difference in managing them.

Look out for the following;

Patchy or yellowing turf

Leatherjackets feed off grass roots, breaking the line that carries key nutrients to produce thick, healthy turf. If there are bare or thin areas across your lawn, it’s most likely that larvae are active underneath.

Turf that lifts easily

An easy test is to tug your turf. If you can pull up grass easily, the most likely cause is that the roots have been eaten away. The turf is no longer anchored in and, if not dealt with, will quickly die off.

Increased bird activity

Leatherjackets are a great snack for wildlife! If you notice more birds around your garden, particularly crows or starlings, they could be attracted to the leatherjackets. This is most likely if they’re pecking at certain spots on your lawn.

Visible larvae

The most obvious sign of leatherjackets is seeing the larvae themselves. Focusing on an area of turf that appears to be struggling, cut a small section of turf and look underneath – you will clearly see grey, leathery-looking grubs around 2-3cms long.

Leatherjacket Timelines

As we mentioned, there are two types of leatherjackets that breed at different times. However, the lifecycle of both is very similar. Understanding the lifecycle of leatherjackets is the key to effective treatment of them:

Late Summer (August-September)

• Adult crane flies emerge and lay eggs in lawns.

Early Autumn (September-October)

• Eggs hatch into small larvae, which feed on grass roots.

Winter (November-February)

• Larvae remain active below the surface (especially while temperatures are mild).

Spring (March-May)

• Larvae feeding intensifies, causing the most visible lawn damage.

Early Summer (June-July)

• Larvae pupate and emerge as adult crane flies, restarting the cycle.

How To Treat Leatherjackets In UK Lawns

We have found that the following three solutions effectively deal with leatherjackets in UK lawns:

1. Biological Control (Nematodes)

Growing concerns for the environment mean that chemical control over leatherjackets or any lawn disease is not a popular choice. However, nematodes are an effective and environmentally friendly option.

• Best applied in early autumn
• Most effective on small larvae
• Requires moist soil for best results
• Safe for pets, people & wildlife

2. Maintain a Healthy Lawn

Healthy, well-cared-for lawns are the best resilience to leatherjackets. Even if leatherjackets are present, a robust lawn will repair and revive itself from any larvae damage.

• Set up a regular lawn care routine
• Aerate compact soil to improve drainage
• Feeding with a high-quality, seasonal fertiliser
• Overseed thin or struggling areas

3. Repair Damaged Lawns

If your lawn is already struggling, you’re making it more vulnerable to leatherjackets and other lawn issues. This can lead to bigger, more costly problems. Resolving these as soon as they arise is usually the quickest and most effective solution.

• Reseed damaged patches
• Resolve waterlogged areas
• Improve drainage with topsoil or aeration
• Lay fresh turf for instant results

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Can A Lawn Recover From Leatherjackets?

Yes, with the right treatment, your lawn can recover from leatherjackets and thrive, looking as good as new! How fast your lawn repairs itself depends on the severity of your leatherjacket infestation. But follow these key steps to get your lawn back on the path to recovery:

• Rake out any dead grass
• Aerate the area to improve drainage
• Apply high-quality fertiliser
• Overseed the area
• Keep the area well-watered

If leatherjackets have completely killed your grass, we recommend returfing the area with new, healthy turf.

Speak To The Experts

If you’re dealing with lawn damage or want expert advice on restoring your grass, the team at George Davies Turf & Stone is here to help. With premium turf, topsoil and fertilisers, we can help you get your garden and lawn back to its best!

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FAQs About Leatherjackets

What are leatherjackets in lawns?

Leatherjackets are small grey-brown grubs that live under the soil. They are the larvae of the crane fly, and feed off turf roots before pupating into adult crane flies.

Where do leatherjackets live?

Leatherjackets live within the soil underneath your turf until they mature and emerge as crane flies.

When is the best time to treat leatherjackets?

This depends on the type of leatherjacket you’re dealing with, but the best time to treat leatherjackets is early autumn (September-October). This is when larvae are small and vulnerable to treatment.

How do I prevent leatherjackets in my lawn?

Although a small number of larvae won’t cause too much damage, you can prevent a larger infestation by maintaining a healthy lawn. Ensure your lawn has good drainage, aerate compact soil and apply seasonal fertiliser.