Can anyone identify and tell me what to do with these?

Hello over the last week or so I have noticed my grass dying significanly and I out it down to lots of rain. However tonight I have gone out and found hundreds of these larvae type things(see pics) on my pathway? Could these be eating the grass, what are they and how do I get rid of them? Help?

 

They look like Leatherjackets which are the larva of the Crane Fly( Daddy Longlegs) The larva will eat the roots of your grass and if there is enough of them they will kill it.The Crane Flys lay their eggs when they are flying around in August/September and these hatch and grow into the Larva.

If you can encourage Starlings into your garden with bird seed they will be a natural predator and will often congregate in large flocks and will enjoy pecking at your grass and feeding on these terrible pests.I am not sure if there is a chemical solution as I just rely on the Starlings to do their work for free

 

Thank you so much I will try that. If anyone else has any suggestions please help!

 

You can also buy nematodes that you water on to control them, but temperature must be warm enough and soil not too dry. Bird seed is cheaper. Crows and rooks will also eat them happily these can make a bit of a mess of your lawn as can badgers, if you have any, which also eat them.

 

You could try the plastic sheet method described here http://www.downgardenservices.org.uk/leatherj.htm . They will also get into adjoining veg beds and munch through roots, lettuces are a favourite, plus newly planted squashes.

 

Thanks for everyone's help, I am trying the plastic sheet method and not have much luck getting birds into the garden, in the meantime my grass is just turning into a patch of mud. I can't find anyone that sells nematodes at this time of year? Anyone have any other ideas or know a nematode suppler that supply at this time of year? Lawn is really disappearing now!