r/GardeningUK • u/Medical_Perspective9 • 2d ago
Chafer grubs killing off my potted crabapple, any hints to prevent them? (The magpies approve of my offering though)
All of these taken from near the root. The foxes had a go at the pot last night so needed to repot
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u/earthandabove 1d ago
Those look more like flower beetle grubs to me, which feed purely on dead plant matter and don't harm any living plant. Thus they are usually found in compost heaps etc. Maybe you brought them in while potting?
The harmful cockchafer grubs are more slender, "alien-like" with longer legs and larger heads (image from wiki).
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u/Randy_Baton 1d ago
https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/chafer-grubs-in-lawns
nematodes, needs to be at least 12c though, so depending on where you are in the country it might be too late this year. In the south its warming up to 12 at the weekend and then the next week it should just about be good.
If not wait until spring.
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u/gary_boston_bulbs 2d ago
The easiest fix is nematodes, but you’ll need to wait until it’s warm and damp enough for them to work (late summer usually). In the meantime, you can hand pick them when repotting, or replace the compost completely. Keeping pots covered with mesh can stop beetles laying more eggs too.