Holes in my grass

[Ann Swerbank]

Last year I noticed I have lots of holes in my grass, it looks like big worms are burrowing in it? it is all over my front grass which has stopped growing in parts and looks like it dried out. Then I could really see all the holes. This year it seems to be growing back slightly, but I'm not sure if it will return when summer eventually makes it to Scotland! I cant see any slugs/worms or beasties or I would know how to treat it! Any ideas, Thanks

[Robinia]

I'm not sure about lawn pests in Scotland but they could be chafer grubs or leatherjackets which you'd probably not see as they'll be below the soil doing a lot of root damage. Any that do come near to the surface will be eaten by larger birds & the holes could be where they've pecked them out.
There's lots of info & pics if you google those two horrors!

[welshlibranr]

Sounds very like leatherjackets, they feed in midsummer eating the roots of the grass ,therefore your grass will recover slightly until then, they are the young of daddy long legs, and the eggs are laid under the grass, they do leave holes in the grass,where they burrow out, and usually attack newly cultivated areas, it's probaby worth treating the area with a preparation from the garden centre to avoid this happening again this summer, I had the same problem last year and had no idea what caused it until an experienced gardener visited and told me about leatherjackets. Hope this helps

[Ann Swerbank]

Thank you both very much, it is great to have some avenues to explore after being confused for so long!