Chinch Bugs – The Turf Destroyers

Do you have yellow patches or brown patches in your lawn, that are slowly growing larger?

You might have a problem with chinch bugs.

Chinch bugs are tiny, hard-to-see insects that are active in hot, dry weather and can cause big damage! There appearance is red (when young) or black in color (when mature) with a white “X” on their backs.

Where Would You Expect to Find Chinch Bugs?

Chinch Bugs can occur almost anywhere in a St. Augustine grass lawn that is common to our Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Northeastern Florida area, however, they are usually found in hot, dry locations, and along sidewalks or driveways.

How Do Chinch Bugs Damage a Lawn?

Chinch bugs cause their damage by sucking the juices from the grass blades with their needle-like beak and injecting toxins back into the blade that causes your grass to die. Their damage first looks like drought stress (where the grass blades begin to wither), then the grass begins to turn yellow and finally brown.

• If chinch bugs are left unattended and untreated, they will spread quickly throughout the lawn and cause large areas of damage that could have to be replaced.
• Having a thick, healthy lawn is critical when combating chinch bugs or any lawn invaders because it allows the lawn to recover quicker from damage.

Tips for Preventing and Controlling Chinch Bugs:

• Keep a healthy lawn
• Maintain adequate lawn moisture level
• Properly fertilize your lawn
• Keep your lawn mowed to a height of 3-4 inches

Let Brandon Pest Control help diagnose and battle your possible chinch bug infestation, or maintain your healthy lawn to prevent them.

• Call 1-877-423-4453 or Contact Us online.