How to Identify Leatherjackets in Your Lawn | Harewood Lawn Care
If your lawn has suddenly developed brown patches, feels loose underfoot, or you've noticed birds constantly pecking at the grass, you may have a leatherjacket infestation.
Leatherjackets are one of the most destructive lawn pests in the UK, causing extensive damage to lawns by feeding on the roots of the grass. At Harewood Lawn Care, we regularly identify and treat leatherjacket damage across Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Clare, Cambridge and the surrounding villages.
Knowing how to spot the signs early can save your lawn from costly repairs.
What Are Leatherjackets?
Leatherjackets are the larval stage of the crane fly, more commonly known as the daddy longlegs.
Adult crane flies emerge during late summer and lay their eggs in damp lawns. Within a few weeks, the eggs hatch into leatherjackets, which live beneath the surface of your lawn and feed on grass roots throughout autumn, winter and spring.
Unlike earthworms, leatherjackets are harmful to your lawn because they prevent grass from taking up water and nutrients.
7 Signs You Have Leatherjackets in Your Lawn
1. Brown or Yellow Patches Appearing
One of the earliest symptoms is irregular patches of yellowing or brown grass.
As leatherjackets feed on the roots, the grass gradually weakens before dying back completely.
If your lawn looks dry despite regular rainfall, leatherjackets could be the cause.
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2. Grass Pulls Up Like a Carpet
Healthy grass should be firmly rooted.
If sections of turf lift away easily with very little effort, the roots may already have been eaten.
This is one of the clearest indicators of severe leatherjacket damage.
3. Birds Constantly Pecking the Lawn
Have you noticed:
Blackbirds
Starlings
Crows
Magpies spending hours pecking at your lawn?
They're not damaging the lawn for fun—they're searching for leatherjackets beneath the surface.
Large flocks of birds repeatedly feeding on the same area are often one of the first signs homeowners notice.
4. Foxes or Badgers Digging Overnight
Leatherjackets are also a favourite food of foxes and badgers.
If you've woken up to holes or large areas of turf ripped apart overnight, it's often because wildlife has discovered a plentiful food source beneath your lawn.
Unfortunately, this secondary damage can sometimes be worse than the pest itself.
5. You Can See the Leatherjackets
The best way to confirm an infestation is to inspect the soil.
Using a garden spade:
Lift a small square of turf around 100mm (4 inches) deep.
Break apart the soil underneath.
Look carefully for the larvae.
Leatherjackets are:
Grey-brown
Legless
Tough and leathery
Around 20–30mm long
Usually curled into a "C" shape when disturbed
Finding several larvae in a small section usually indicates a significant infestation.
6. Your Lawn Feels Spongy
As the roots disappear, the turf loses its structure.
The lawn can begin to feel soft or slightly springy underfoot, especially after rain.
7. Grass Stops Growing Properly
Even after applying fertiliser and watering, affected areas often struggle to recover because the roots have already been damaged.
This is why leatherjacket infestations are often mistaken for drought stress or poor soil.
When Are Leatherjackets Most Active?
In the UK:
August–September: Adult crane flies lay eggs.
September–May: Leatherjackets feed on grass roots.
Late spring: Larvae pupate before emerging as adult crane flies.
The worst lawn damage is usually seen during autumn and spring, when the larvae are actively feeding.
How to Treat Leatherjackets
The most effective treatment is applying beneficial nematodes.
These microscopic, naturally occurring organisms actively seek out leatherjackets in the soil and control them without harming pets, wildlife or beneficial insects.
For successful treatment:
Thoroughly water the lawn before application.
Apply the nematodes in suitable temperatures.
Keep the lawn consistently moist for at least one to two weeks afterwards.
During prolonged dry weather or hosepipe restrictions, treatment may need to be delayed until conditions improve.
Can Leatherjackets Be Prevented?
Although no lawn is completely immune, a healthy lawn is much better equipped to recover.
Regular lawn maintenance helps by:
Feeding the lawn with the correct fertilisers.
Overseeding thin areas.
Reducing moss.
Relieving soil compaction through aeration.
Maintaining healthy root growth.
At Harewood Lawn Care, we believe prevention is always better than cure.
Need Help Identifying Leatherjackets?
If you think your lawn may be suffering from leatherjacket damage, we'd be happy to help.
At Harewood Lawn Care, we provide professional lawn inspections and honest advice to homeowners across Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ely, Haverhill, Mildenhall and the surrounding villages.
We'll identify the cause of the damage and recommend the most effective treatment for your lawn—whether that's beneficial nematodes, lawn renovation, overseeding or ongoing lawn care.
Don't wait until the damage becomes severe. Early identification can often save your lawn and avoid costly repairs.
Contact Harewood Lawn Care
If you're concerned about brown patches in your lawn, birds digging up your grass, or you suspect leatherjackets are damaging your lawn, get in touch today.
We're always happy to offer friendly, honest advice and help you achieve a healthier, greener lawn.
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