Pest Control

Advice on preventing and dealing with household pests, infestations and common pest problems.

Focus On: Crane Fly Larvae

18th October 2024

It is that time of the year when the crane flies come out to play! Also known as daddy longlegs, crane flies are harmless to humans, but they can be a bit of a nuisance. Not only does it look like a giant mosquito, but its larvae can cause some serious damage.

Crane fly larvae, also known as leatherjackets, look like small worms, and can grow up to an inch long. Adult crane flies hatch and breed in late summer – early autumn and they bread almost straight away, laying eggs almost immediately. Leatherjackets love the damp and thrive on organic material, making your garden the perfect breeding ground. Within a few weeks, the eggs hatch into larva.

Why are leatherjackets so bad for the garden?

By the time spring arrives, your hungry leatherjackets will have eaten through organic material, including grass and, importantly, grass roots, which can lead to serious damage in your lawn, including ugly “bald” patches.

How can you spot a leatherjacket infestation?

The appearance of patches of drying or dead grass is a first indication that you might have a problem with leatherjackets. This will usually be noticeable sometime over the winter (between November and January). This is because the leatherjackets start by feeding on grass roots, which stops the grass from getting the water and nutrients it needs to stay green and lush.

Another sign of leatherjacket activity is an abundance of wildlife in your garden. Birds such as crows and magpies will do their best to find juicy leatherjackets, and foxes will even try to dig them up in your garden to find them.

How bad will the problem get?

A leatherjacket infestation will usually start with a small bald patch, but as the larvae exhaust the food resources in one patch of lawn, they will spread out to find more, so you may notice the patch getting bigger. In extreme cases, leatherjackets can destroy entire lawns.

How can you prevent or control crane fly larvae?

If you suspect that you may have a leatherjacket problem, or if you (and your lawn) have suffered in the past, there are a range of chemical and biological control methods that you can use. These include the use of nematodes – harmless microscopic worms – which feast on the larvae (the predator becomes prey!). Encouraging natural predators, such as birds, will also help you to keep your leatherjacket population in check. In extreme cases, it is possible to use chemical treatments. These should, however, be a last resort and it is always best to consult a pest control specialist or professional gardener to make sure that the measures you use are suitable for the type and scale of your problem.

If you have a leatherjacket infestation, or any other unwanted guests, contact your local pest control specialist for professional advice. For more tips, follow Trust A Trader on Facebook or X.

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Find clear, practical answers to common pest control questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

How do I know if I have a rat or mouse infestation in my home?

Look for droppings (dark, pellet-shaped, usually along walls or in cupboards), gnaw marks on packaging, wiring, or woodwork, scratching sounds (especially at night) and shredded material used for nests in hidden spots. Dark smear marks along skirting boards are a strong sign of rats, specifically. If you notice any of these, act quickly - rodent populations grow fast and they cause more damage the longer they're left.
Can I get rid of a wasp nest myself or do I need a professional?

For a small, accessible nest in a quiet spot away from foot traffic, a confident DIYer might manage it - but it's worth knowing that wasps can become aggressive when disturbed, and things can escalate quickly if it doesn't go to plan. For anything inside walls, a loft, or an enclosed space, it's really best left to a professional. And if anyone in the household has an allergy to wasp stings, it's definitely a job for an expert rather than something to tackle yourself.
What should I do if I find bed bugs in my home?

Move quickly. Wash and heat-dry all bedding, clothing, and soft furnishings, and bag up what you can't treat immediately. Don't move things between rooms - that's how infestations spread. Over-the-counter treatments rarely deal with a proper infestation. Professional treatment, whether heat or chemical, is far more thorough and reliably gets into the places bed bugs actually hide.
How do pest controllers treat a property and how long does it take?

It depends on the pest. Crawling insects typically get insecticide sprays or gels, rodents are handled with baiting systems, and bed bugs often need heat treatment. Most single-pest treatments take a few hours, but many - rodents especially - need follow-up visits at two to three week intervals to make sure the job's properly done. Your pest controller will discuss the plan upfront and tell you what preparation is needed before they arrive.
How long does it typically take to get rid of a pest infestation?

Timelines vary depending on the pest. Wasp nests are usually dealt with in a single visit, while ants and cockroaches typically need two to three visits over a couple of weeks. Rodents generally require a longer programme - usually four to six weeks with regular bait checks. Bed bugs can take the most time, often needing multiple treatments over several weeks depending on how established the infestation is.
A good pest controller should give you a realistic sense of the timeline upfront, along with a clear picture of what follow-up visits are required.
Can I treat an ant infestation myself or do I need a professional?

For a small trail of ants making their way to a food source, DIY can work well. The key is finding and sealing the entry point, removing whatever's attracting them, and using a gel bait that worker ants carry back to the nest - spraying the ants themselves tends to disperse them without actually tackling the colony. For a larger or more established infestation, especially if ants are appearing throughout the property or inside walls, professional treatment is likely to be more reliably effective. Pharaoh ants are worth a particular mention - if handled incorrectly, the colony can fragment and spread, making the problem harder to resolve.
Are pest control treatments safe for children and pets?

In most cases, yes - once the treated area has dried or cured, which is typically a few hours for sprays. Your pest controller should give you clear instructions on how long to stay out of the treated area. If you have very young children or pets that are particularly sensitive (cats can react badly to some insecticides), mention it before treatment so the right products can be chosen. Gel baits are generally the lower-risk option as they're placed in contained spots rather than sprayed.

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