If your lawn has been subject to crows “thatching” it to get at the larvae of the European chafer beetle lodged in and feeding on the turf’s roots (find an associated article about this problem in BWNA’s March-April 2026 issue), local landscaping pros offer the following suggestions to keep the larvae at bay.
Have a healthy lawn:
- Keep grass taller (around three inches), aerate, fertilize, and water deeply to build strong roots that resist damage.
- Reduce thatch buildup, as it attracts the beetles that lay the eggs, which then hatch into larvae.
- Aerate and add lime in spring and fall to improve soil health.
- Consider alternatives to grass, such as drought-tolerant, chafer-resistant ground covers like creeping thyme or brass buttons.
If your lawn is already afflicted by the larvae (and perhaps by the crows feasting on them), try the following organic and biological methods for existing issues and, ultimately, prevention of the grub infestation:
- Apply beneficial nematodes in mid to late summer when the grubs are small. Nematodes are natural predators that kill the larvae.
- Cover lawns with landscape fabric or sheeting in June/July to block adult beetles from laying eggs.
- Hang traps in May to catch adult beetles before they mate.
- Encourage predators by making your garden attractive to birds and frogs.
However, if you have neglected to apply preventive measures the crows are here to help. Next fall, when the grubs (larvae) are voraciously chewing off the roots of your grass, the crows will thatch your lawn by upturning the turf with their beaks, whereupon they will pluck out the tasty grubs and rid you of the nuisance for yet another season.
The only price you pay is a disheveled lawn with uprooted grass that will either be replaced in due course by moss or by the results of your investment in one or more of the mitigating measures listed above. Note, however, that even if you rid your lawn of the European chafer beetle larvae, you will probably still have a crow or three strutting about on the grass. It is unlikely, though, that they will be tearing up the lawn at the roots to feed on grubs.
Pamela Plimpton, a B-W resident since 1980, retired as a professor of English in 2020. Her interests include reading, writing, gardening, and singing with a community chorale. She and her husband enjoy playing golf, working out at the NE Community Center, traveling, and grandparenting their granddaughter.