It appears that the European chafer could be rearing its ugly head in New West once again, but the city wants to help residents eradicate the pest.
Local residents first noticed their lawns being destroyed by the European Chafer back in 2001. A staff report indicates that anecdotal evidence suggests the impact for the European Chafer is on the rise again, so it’s timely to remind community members of the nematode subsidy program.
“The European Chafer in its grub state is very destructive to turn and lawns. The grubs feed on the roots of grasses during the summer and through to the spring, chewing them off and killing the grass plants,” stated a staff report by Diane Perry, the manager of community development in parks, culture and recreation. “Considerable damage to turn can also occur in the fall and winter from animals, especially skunks and birds, digging up the grass to feed on the larger grubs.”
In 2008, the city launched a program to subsidize the purchase of nematodes, which are microscopic worms that attack the chafer grub.
Each year since 2008, the city has made 250 coupons available that offer a 50 per cent discount on the purchase of nematodes, but the number of coupons claimed and redeemed has dropped dramatically in recent years. In 2008, 248 coupons were claimed and 200 were redeemed; in 2013 the number of coupons claimed had dropped to 71 and the only 48 were redeemed.
Last year, 96 of 250 available coupons were claimed, and 67 were actually redeemed.
New Westminster residents qualify for a 50 per cent discount of the purchase of nematodes, up to a maximum of two packages per home owner. Each package costs $69.99 plus tax and covers about 750 square feet. Beginning June 15, anyone interested in the program must pick up their coupon and chafer management information at the parks administration office in Moody Park (600 Eighth St.) or Century House (620 Eighth St.), and then drop in or call two Garden Works stores in the region by July 3 to order their nematodes.
When the nematodes are available for pickup, garden centres will call residents, who must present their coupon and pay for half of the cost or the nematodes.
“Nematodes are a living biological control species that need to be refrigerated and applied as soon as possible upon receipt,” states the staff report. “Instructions are included with each nematode package.”
According to the staff report, the best non-pesticide defence again the European Chafer is for homeowners to take normal measures to maintain a healthy lawn, as a resilient turf appears to better withstand the effects of the pest.
