Yellow Leaves on the Edges of Damage Indicate Chinch Bugs are Active in St Augustine Grass Lawns

One of the distinct characteristics of active chinch bug damage is the presence of yellow leaves along the edges of the damage when Chinch bugs are very active. The leaves are completely yellow and scattered among green leaves along the edges of the damage.

Active Area for Chinch Bugs are the Edges

This is the active area for chinch bugs. They have left the dead and are actively feeding on the fresh grass along the edges. The yellow leaves are damaged and dying – there will be no recovery. The green leaves are being threatened and if area is not treated soon, the damage will progress.

For the DIY’ers

The best method of control is treat with an insecticide – sorry there is no organic method of control. Chinch bugs are small and easy to kill with small amounts of insecticides. Home Depot and Lowes sell various formulations. Sprays are preferred to granules. Treating the whole area is required and focus on the active areas to stop progression of the damage.

For the Customer of A Promised Land Lawn Spraying

You should never see this in your lawn. Chinch Bugs are priority #1 during the summer months. Rarely will Chinch Bug activity reach these levels while being treated on a regular schedule by A Promised Land Lawn Spraying, Inc. However, since Chinch bug can be very damaging to St Augustine grass, please feel free to call should you suspect anything. It is far better to be safe than sorry.