Chinch Bugs are a fact of life in Florida lawns. We normally see populations increase to damamging levels in May, but this year we are already having to treat to control these little beast. The Chinch Bug will stick it’s beaklike mouth into the stems of grasss and suck the water and nutrients from the turf. This leaves the lawn looking very dry and eventually kills off the effected areas. They then expand to the surrounding healthy grass and repeat the process.
This is the size of an adult Chinch Bug
This is what Chinch Bug Damage looks like 
Chinch Bugs Close up
How do I know if I need to treat?
Chinch bugs are quick and hard to catch. Search in the green grass at the edge of a dead patch. Part the grass quickly and pull back the thatch down to the soil. If you do not see them, pull up a handful of grass including the thatch and runners. Lay it on a table or put it in a plastic bag and see if chinch bugs crawl out. Next, gently pull off the leaves and see if chinch bugs are hiding where the grass blades come together at the base of the plant.
A common method of determining numbers of chinch bugs present is the “flotation technique”. A coffee can, or similarly sized can, with its ends cut out, is pushed two to three inches down into the green turf at the edge of a suspected area of chinch bug infestation. The can is filled with water and kept full for about five to seven minutes by adding more water. A level of 20 to 25 chinch bugs per square foot can cause damage. Repeat this monitoring technique in several spots at the edge of the suspected area to find the bugs.
Cultural practices can help manage chinch bugs but pesticides are often necessary since these insects kill lawns quickly.
- Use little nitrogen in the hot, humid summer months and use slow release fertilizers. Over-fertilization with nitrogen can make chinch bugs worse.
- Water deeply about once a week applying three quarters to one inch of water each time. Water between midnight and 10:00 a.m.
- If the thatch layer is thicker than one inch, dethatch the lawn in May or June.
Chemical Control – Treat immediately if populations are at or above the damage threshold mentioned earlier. Chinch bugs can quickly destroy a lawn!
- Do not apply pesticides to turf in dry soil to avoid chemical injury. Irrigate the lawn several hours to a day before treating.
- Very important – Spray pesticides using lots of water (4 to 5 gallons per 1000 sq. ft.) to get the chemical down to the insects.
As always if you need help just let us know. 904.724.9114 / turfmastersjax.com
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