Brown patchy grass

[Steve1903]

Hi, new to this forum and would be grateful for any advice please.
We have had a long standing issue with our grass. We have laid two separate lawns within the last 4 years and seem to have a constant issue with dying grass and brown patches. We have tried all kinds of treatment on the lawn but nothing helps for any length of time.
Yesterday we had very heavy rain and we had build build a den in the garden for the kids from cardboard. When we lifted the cardboard this morning we noticed there were many of these little worm/caterpillar? under the cardboard(Attached photo). These are not like the usual garden worms and we are wondering if these are the root cause of our issue.
On googling we came across the sod webworm but treatment for these are all in dollars so not sure if they are in the UK.
We would be really grateful for any advice as these brown patches have not pretty much taken over the whole of our lawn area and it is extremely frustrating.
Thank you in advance.

 

[cpp gardener]

That is not a sod webworm it is a Cranefly larva (maggot). It could be a part of the problem, I’m not sure.

 

[oneeye]

The way I fix those brown patches in the lawn is by putting composted cow manure on the brown spots. Bugs can't stand the poop and the grass loves it and believe me, it works every time. Just remove any dead grass in the spots and aerate the soil well and top dress the bald spot with manure. Water the manure in and keep it moist but not wet and in 12 or 15 days your grass will look like its brand new. The lawn needs top dressing when the lawn is actively growing. I fixed hundreds of spots using this method.

 

[Tetters]

Welcome to the forum @Steve1903
Yes, you have a leatherjacket problem - crane fly larvae... here`s a link to help -

Leatherjackets / RHS Gardening

The larvae of some crane flies (leatherjackets) can damage lawns, small plants in garden borders and vegetable plots by eating roots. They are often more numerous after a wet autumn, as damp conditions favour survival of eggs and larvae.

www.rhs.org.uk

 

[Steve1903]

Thank you all for your advice, very helpful and looking forward to getting our lawn back once treated. What a helpful forum.

 

[cntrlwagdnr]

Here in the US you can get a spray to treat for lawn insects above and below ground. They fit on the end of the hose and automatically meter the solution - very convenient. No point in giving you brand names as you are in the UK, but go to a good garden center or equivalent of Home Depot here and ask them. It works well and one container is about one US quart (almost a liter) and usually treats about 2,500 to 3,000 sqft (about 230 to 280 sqm). Regulations may be different over there - been over 40 years since I lived there - so not sure if that kind of thing is allowed. Maybe now you are out of the EU there will be less restrictions and regulations on stuff. Also, DK where you live but we have a friend in Kent who owns a lawn treatment service - Greenthumb.co.uk