Now is the time to take action against chafer beetles, Tri-City municipal staff say.
Today (Thursday), Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody city halls issued a joint advisory about the bugs that have wreaked havoc on Metro Vancouver properties.
To stem the tide and to restore infested lawns, Tri-City residents are asked to use organic methods — not cosmetic pesticides, which are banned in the three cities.
Until June, homeowners are requested to:
• aerate their lawn
• rake or till damaged turf (don't dump it in the green cart; take it to Meadows Landscape Recycling Centre at 17799 Ferry Slip Rd., Pitt Meadows)
• reseed damaged areas with a starter fertilizer and roller, and sprinkle frequently (check for water restrictions)
• keep the grass at least 5 cm high and leave clippings on the lawn to act as mulch
Nematodes can also be pre-ordered from garden stores to apply in late July.
City staff say once the lawns return to normal, sprinkle twice a week.
For undamaged lawns, residents are asked to use a natural organic or slow-growth fertilizer to keep the bugs away. Homeowners should also look at planting chafer-resistant plants such as microclover and tail fescue grass.
Visit the city websites for more details: coquitlam.ca/chaferbeetle; portcoquitlam.ca/chaferbeetle; and portmoody.ca/chaferbeetle.
