Chinch Bug DamageIt is that time of the year when the Chinch bugs are very active. Chinch Bugs like it hot and dry – or at least they like their St Augustine hot and dry – and it is hot and dry. So be alert as Chinch bug damage is so complete there is no recovery. As part of my service I control Chinch Bugs, however this year may be an active Chinch Bug year because the cool weather delayed and retarded insecticide treatments.

What to Look For

Chinch bug damage mimics heat and water stress. However there are three distinct symptoms:

Incomplete Damage1. Incomplete Damage – the damage seems to be selective in contrast to water stress damage that is equal damage over the area. Look for islands of green isolated within the damaged area. This is because the Chinch bug will feed on the best turf first and then attack the tough turf.

2. Yellow Leaves along the edges of the damage – The feeding progresses from a central point and moves outward. The pattern will be dead grass –> yellow leaves on the edges -> healthy turf.

Chinch Bugs3. The presence of Chinch Bugs – If you cannot find any Chinch Bugs then probably something else caused the damage. Yet finding the small match head sized bugs is difficult. Soap drenches or physically investigating the edges of undamaged turf is the best method to get a visual verification. Warning: Chinch bugs are often a secondary causal agent. A turf damaged by herbicides or water stress will be attacked by Chinch bugs. Regardless of the direct cause, you must control the Chinch bugs.

Prevention and Cure

Chinch bug damage is so complete that the turf does not recover. It is imperative to take care not to allow Chinch Bugs to expand their populations to damaging levels – it takes thousands to kill turf and they live in your lawn as part of the ecosystem. Chinch bugs are not pests; they are predators, preying on weak stressed turf. It is their job to get weak and dying turf out of the way to make room for a better species. Therefore keep your turf healthy by watering as often as you can and mow your turf as high as the mower will go (yes tall turf is not appetizing to Chinch Bugs).

The good news is that Chinch Bug populations are easily reduced with modern insecticides. Since the Chinch bugs live in the base of the leaves, using a liquid is superior and is aided by watering in after the application. Since the damage is complete, preventive applications during the peak seasons is better than curative applications. Insecticide applications every other month during the warm months will give good control.

In Summary

Chinch bugs are here; they are present and present a danger to your lawn. Water often; mow as high as the mower will go and use an insecticide to protect your lawn.