Soil

I have tested our soil in different borders and get anything from 6 - 6.5 - under 7. Fine.
I have come across some type of grub - they are whitish and have cater-pillar type legs.
Hubby thinks they are vine weevil whilst a friend says they sound like a chafer grub. But looking at the pictures I have in a gardening book, neither seem to have cater-pillar type legs, so am at a loss.
I have been advised to replace all the top soil :eek: but there is a lot of it and wondering if there is anything we can do without replacing the top soil?

 

Waste of time, money and good top soil to try changing it.

Vine Weevil are a mealy white, legless grub with an orangy brown head.
You can control them with neamatodes or Provado

Chafer Grubs are simmilar but larger and have legs. They can also be controlled with neamatodes (not the same one) during summer. Chemicals are not recommended. They are mainly a border or lawn pest.

 

im not too clear, how do we recognise caterpillar legs please

 

the trouble with changing top soil, is that you don't know what you may be importing in.
the new top soil could have more problems in it than you have already.
just do as you would for snails, slugs etc.. remove them as you find them and dispose....

 

http://www.just-green.co.uk/default.asp is one place to get info on nematodes, etc - worth a look

 

Thanks for that all, had a look at that site and shall get hold of those nematodes. I have learnt quite a good bit today - thanks again