European Chafer Beetle

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.

Other prevention tips include:

• make sure landscaping tools are not contaminated
• ask top soil vendors how they ensure their soil is not contaminated when you make a purchase
• consider alternative plantings such as brass buttons, Irish moss/Scotch moss, little star creeper, or microclover
• dispose of contaminated turf as Wastech (1200 United Blvd, Coquitlam). Do not put it in your green cart

Chafer beetle infestation is often most visible when raccoons, birds, and other wildlife begin digging up grasses and turf to eat the grubs. Between January and March you can monitor your grass 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. 

A chafer beetle infestation is most visible when raccoons, birds, and other wildlife begin digging up your grass and damaging the turf to eat them. If you notice that your lawn is dug up, this may be a sign of infestation. 

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

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. Find more ideas at growgreenguide.ca, Metro Vancouver's guide to creating and maintaining a sustainable garden or lawn space.

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:

• submit a Lawn Sprinkler Permit to City Hall at 100 Newport Drive
• show proof of Nematode purchase

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

1. Cut three sides of a 30cmx30cm square (about the length of a ruler) of grass to a depth of 5cm (about 2in).
2. Fold back the square patch and count the grubs in the soil by digging around. 
3. Cut five more squares of sod/turf in different areas of your lawn, count the grubs in each square. 
4. If you find over 5-10 grubs per square are found, then chafer control may be necessary.

• Apply nematodes in late July. Contact your local garden centre to pre-order nematodes ahead of time.
• Nematodes can be an effective treatment, provided that they are properly refrigerated, correctly applied, and lawns are well-maintained before treatment and extensively watered after treatment. 
• Please note that most chemical insecticides are restricted under the City's Pesticide Use Control Bylaw.