30/10/2026
LEATHERJACKETS ON YOUR BOWLING GREEN – WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW CAN YOU GET RID OF THEM?
Have you noticed brown patches, thinning grass or birds pecking holes in your bowling green? Leatherjackets could be the cause!
WHAT ARE LEATHERJACKETS?
Leatherjackets are the larvae of crane flies, commonly known as daddy longlegs. They live in the soil and feed on grass roots and the base of grass plants, weakening the turf and potentially causing significant damage to your bowling green.
WHAT DAMAGE CAN THEY CAUSE?
Damage to the grass: Leatherjackets weaken the turf, causing yellowing, thinning grass, brown patches and, in severe cases, areas of dead turf.
- Bird damage: Rooks, crows, starlings and other birds may peck and probe the green searching for leatherjackets. This can leave holes, divots and badly disturbed patches of turf.
-Damage from other animals: Badgers and foxes may dig and tear up sections of turf while hunting for grubs. The combined damage can leave the green uneven, with bare patches that affect the pace, smoothness and consistency of the playing surface.
-Costly repairs: Extensive damage may require reseeding, turf repairs and additional greenkeeping work, potentially affecting the use of the green while it recovers.
HOW CAN YOU CONTROL LEATHERJACKETS?
✅ 1. Check for the problem. Inspect damaged areas and check the soil and turf to confirm that leatherjackets are present before choosing a treatment. You can try sweating them out by putting a sheet over your green and adding water. In the early evening, thoroughly soak the area you suspect has leatherjackets. The aim is to make the turf and soil moist, not leave standing water.Use a lightproof black tarpaulin or suitable opaque sheeting. Make sure it covers the affected area and is securely weighted or pegged down.Leave the sheet in place overnight, generally around 12–24 hours. The damp, dark conditions encourage leatherjackets to move towards the surface.Lift the sheet early the next morning and inspect the surface. Brush or collect any exposed leatherjackets and remove them. Repeat over several nights if necessary.
✅ 2. Maintain healthy turf. Appropriate feeding, aeration, drainage and thatch management can help maintain strong grass and support recovery.
✅ 3. Consider Acelepryn® . This professional turf insecticide contains chlorantraniliprole and can help control leatherjackets when used on permitted sites and in accordance with the current UK product label. Correct application timing is essential, and it will not instantly repair damage that has already occurred.
✅ 4. Act before damage gets worse. Monitoring leatherjacket activity and planning control at the appropriate time can help reduce turf damage and the attraction of birds searching for grubs.
✅ 5. Seek professional advice. Always check current authorisations and label directions before using any pesticide on a bowling green. Only use products where the intended use is permitted, and follow all environmental and application restrictions.
Leatherjackets can damage the grass beneath the surface, while birds and other animals can tear up the turf above it. Together, they can turn a smooth bowling green into a patchy, uneven and costly repair job.
