Home & Garden Tips
It's Chinch Bugs Time Again in the County
By Roosevelt McWilliams County Extension Agent

Our lawns are having a tough time these days. Many have seen beautiful, green lawns give

way to large dead patches. There are several things that may be causing these

problems.

Most common issues, disease and thatch build-up, can be best managed through proper maintenance. Chinch bugs, another nuisance, emerge as the dog days of summer set in. Although these insects are most commonly associated with St. Augustine grass, they can also be found in other grasses.

Chinch bugs are fast moving insects that reproduce quickly. Adults are about one-fifth an inch long with silver triangular patches on their wings. The nymphs are much smaller and vary in color from reddish to black with a white band on their back. Chinch bugs have piercing mouthparts that inject toxins into the grass.

The damage, which can be confused with other problems, typically appears as irregular patches of turf that turn yellowish, then straw colored. These dead areas commonly start in hot spots near the edge of a street, walkway or patio.

Positive identification is the first step in winning the battle. There are a couple of different ways that you can sample for chinch bugs. First, the easiest method is to simply pull back your grass and see what is going on. Look in the green grass just at the transition zone near dead patches. Chinch bugs move near the soil surface in the thatch layer.

If you do not spot any, but still suspect them as the culprit, try the flotation technique. You should cut the ends off of a coffee can (or similar sized container). Push the can two to three inches down through the turf (use a knife to cut the turf if necessary). Keep the can filled with water for five to seven minutes. Repeat this monitoring technique in several spots at the edge of suspected infestations. All stages of chinch bugs will float if present.

So, now that you've confirmed a chinch bug problem, what can you do about it? Most importantly, you should manage your lawn wisely to keep it healthy because lush, green lawns invite a host of problems. You should avoid over fertilization. Be sure that your thatch is not thicker than one-half an inch. Excessive thatch harbors insects and diseases. Finally water your lawn deeply one to two times per week during dry spells.

If you need help in the identification and detection of chinch bugs and which choice of insecticide to use call the Burke County Extension Office at 554- 2119.