Chinch Bugs
Chinch Bugs are tiny black bugs with folded white wings. A chinch bug is about 1/5 of an inch long. Nymphs are born yellow, then turn red with a light-colored band across the abdomen.
Damage
Chinch Bugs feed on many lawn grasses, but especially St. Augustinegrass and Zoysiagrass. A chinch bug sucks the juices from grass blades and inject a chemical that causes the blades to turn brown and die, creating dried-out, brown patches in the lawn. The patches usually begin in the warmest, driest parts of the lawn, such as along sidewalks, raised areas and driveways. Heavy infestations can completely kill a lawn. They seldom appear in shaded lawns, preferring heat and sun.
Look for Chinch Bugs along the edges of damaged areas, examining the base of grass blades closely or with a magnifying glass. Or, to confirm the pest, cut both ends out of a coffee can. Push the can about 3 inches into the turf along the edges of a damaged area. Fill the can with dish soap and water. The Chinch Bugs should float to the surface after several minutes.
Location
Chinch Bugs are found throughout the United States.
Similar or Related Pests
Southern, Hairy, Common, Buffalograss Chinch Bug
Cultural Solutions
- Plant resistant varieties of turf.
Complete Brand Insect Killer For Soil & Turf-32 oz. Ready-To-Spray
Complete Brand Insect Killer For Soil & Turf-32 oz. Ready-To-Spray
- Kills listed surface insects in 24 hours
- Kills soil insects for up to 3 months
- Kills Mosquitoes
- 32oz Ready-To-Spray treats up to 5,000 sq. ft
- 40oz. Concentrate makes up to 80 gallons of spray
- Excludes Pharaoh Ants
3-In-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control-32 oz. Concentrate
3-In-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control-32 oz. Concentrate
- Kills and controls listed insect pests
- Cures and prevents listed fungal disease
- Controls Spider Mites
Season Long Grub Control Plus Turf Revitalizer-24 lb. Bag
Season Long Grub Control Plus Turf Revitalizer-24 lb. Bag
- Creates a season-long protective zone to kill Grubs before they do damage
- PLUS increases turf root mass for thicker, stronger turf
- Apply anytime, spring through late summer
- Also kills Mole Crickets and European Crane Fly larvae
- 12 lb. bag treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- 24 lb. bag treats up to 10,000 sq. ft.
24 Hour Grub Killer Plus Granules-20 lb. Bag
24 Hour Grub Killer Plus Granules-20 lb. Bag
- Kills Grubs in 24 hours
- PLUS kills Ants1, Armyworms, Billbugs, Chinch Bugs, Crickets, Cutworms, Earwigs, Grasshoppers, Leafhoppers, Millipedes, Mole Crickets, Pillbugs, Scorpions, Sod Webworms, Sowbugs and Ticks
- 20 lb. bag treats 10,000 sq. ft. for White Grubs, Billbugs and Mole Crickets; 15,000 sq. ft. for other lawn pests
1-Except Carpenter Ants, Fire Ants, Harvester Ants, and Pharaoh Ants
