Are Chafer Beetles damaging your lawn? European Chafer Beetles are insects whose larvae feed on the roots of grasses, causing serious damage to lawns. Learn about ways to identify a Chafer Beetle infestation, control Chafer Beetles, and prevent them from infesting your lawn. 

Prevent infestation

The best defence against a Chafer Beetle infestation is a well-maintained lawn:

  • keep your grass 5 to 6 cm long and leave clippings on your lawn as mulch
  • overseed, to maintain a dense, healthy, weed-free lawn
  • promote deep roots by watering for no more than one hour, once a week
  • lime in the fall and spring to counteract the soil’s natural acidity
  • aerate in the spring and fall
  • use barriers (e.g. netting, fencing, chicken wire) to prevent damage from foraging animals
  • reduce exterior lighting on your property, especially in June and July, to help reduce the number of Chafer grubs in your lawn

Watch our video for tips on how to maintain your lawn.

 Identify an infestation

A Chafer Beetle infestation is most visible when raccoons, birds, and other wildlife begin digging up your grass and damaging the turf to eat the beetles. If you notice that your lawn is dug up in spots, this may be a sign of Chafer Beetles. 

Between January and March, monitor your grass for grubs by cutting back a section of the turf and digging around in the dirt. If there are more than five grubs per section, you may want to consider Chafer beetle control.

Watch our video to learn how to search your lawn for a Chafer Beetle infestation.

Choose turf alternatives
You can avoid a Chafer Beetle infestation by removing turfgrass from areas prone to infestation and replacing it with alternative ground cover or landscapes. Look to Naturescaping for ideas on creating backyard wildlife habitat and wild spaces. You can try using alternative lawn seed mixes (e.g. beetle-resistant grass blends, moss, creeping thyme, micro clover), installing vegetable boxes, or replacing lawns with areas of woody plants or other garden beds. Look for more ideas at growgreenguide.ca, Metro Vancouver's guide to creating and maintaining a sustainable garden or lawn space. 

 Apply nematodes as a natural treatment option
Pesticides cannot be used to treat Chafer Beetles unless permitted under the City's Pesticide Use Control Bylaw. Many legally-sold pesticides are not permitted for use on residential and City lands in Port Moody. If you have a Chafer Beetle infestation, try Nematodes as a natural treatment option. 

When you treat your lawn with Nematodes, you need to keep your lawn moist with regular watering. You'll need to apply for a temporary exemption from our water restriction. To get a 21-day temporary exemption, you need to:

Watch our video to learn how to treat your lawn with Nematodes.