European Chafer Beetle

Why is my grass all torn up?

Meet the European Chafer Beetle. First spotted in New Westminster in 2021, it wound up in North Vancouver by 2015. The beetle lays eggs in grass lawns, then raccoons, crows and skunks dig up lawns to get at the tasty larvae, resulting in a lawn that looks like the photo above.

Healthy lawns with longer grass are less likely to be infested, so taking good care of your yard is a good way to reduce the chances you’ll have a problem. But assuming you’re already seeing the damage, what can be done?

The DNV has an entire page about the Chafer Beetle and your options. It turns out the pesticide that kills the grubs (imidacloprid) is banned in the DNV as it kills many other beneficial insects, and may also contribute to the decline in bee populations. In short, other control options must be used. They include:

Nematodes. These are specific roundworms that kill the grubs. But for them to work they must be applied at the right time – usually in late July – and you may also need a permit to water your lawn more than once a week while the treatment is going on. If this option is interesting, contact your local garden centre (residents have had luck with both GardenWorks and Dykhof Nursery in the past) to get your nematode order in at the right time. Be sure to follow their instructions for proper application.

Bacteria. GardenWorks suggests an application of Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae (called BTG) as an alternative, and says the timing of its use is a bit more flexible than nematodes. See their website for more information. This March 2025 article discusses a Scotts product containing this bacteria.

Barriers. The DNV page above discusses the option of covering your lawn during the time of year when the beetles are most active.

Replacement. While this is a more drastic option, there are a number of alternatives to a grass lawn that the DNV suggestion their website, including clover, Sedges, herbs, Sedums, and various ornamental grasses. In these days of reduced lawn watering during the summer, these alternatives may also stay green better than a lawn. Your local nursery can help you select an option that will work for you.

There are many sources available online to help you learn more. We hope the information here helps you get started.

Note: The information in this page was originally shared on the BCA website in 2015 and 2016 as news posts. Those were extracted, summarized, and revised in 2023 when this page was created. Thanks to those who originally shared the information!