A Natural Control for the European Chafer

The European chafer beetle is a formidable enemy of lawns and turf. The larvae (called white grubs) feed primarily on the roots of grass and turf, and are a serious pest that can cause substantial damage. Though adult beetles are not harmful, European chafer grubs can quickly decimate lawns and turf. Beneficial nematodes are a natural predator of European chafer grubs, and kill the larvae in the soil. See our European chafer page in Pest ID to learn more.

Fall is the perfect time to treat with nematodes to kill European chafer grubs. The grubs are still small then, and more easily killed by nematodes than in the spring.

We recommend treating in the fall with Heteromask to have fewer grubs next spring!