Chinch bugs are a threat to St. Augustine lawns especially during hot, dry weather.  These pests cause damage by piercing the runners with their mouth parts, sucking sap, dehydrating your turf and injecting a poison.  Chinch bugs can and will destroy your whole lawn if allowed to multiply.  In addition, when a lawn is weakened by chinch bugs, it becomes a good candidate for fungus and weed problems.  These bugs don't exactly tap you on the shoulder and introduce themselves.  If you're worried you might have chinch bugs, please continue reading.

     Signs of damage are first seen in sunny dry areas and around the edges of the lawn.  Yellowing blades are quickly followed by spreading patches of dead grass. 

     Dry patches can often be mistaken for chinch bug damage and visa versa.  The "floating" method is the best way to determine what is causing the damage.  Place a bottomless can into the ground in an affected area.  Pour water into the can keeping it filled for 10 minutes.  If you have chinch bugs, they will start floating to the surface.  If you've checked for chinch bugs and are still not sure if you have them, call a professional.

            Watering deeply, once per week is a good way to prevent damage from showing.  Chemical applications are the only way to prevent or eliminate a chinch bug problem.  If there is already an infestation, 2 treatment, 3 weeks apart will be necessary to eliminate the problem.  Keep in mind, these bugs move.  So regular insecticide treatments are always the best protection against these devastating pests.  Click here if you received a Chinch Warning postcard.

Life Cycle of a Chinch Bug

*Research from the Florida Cooperative Extension Services, IFAS.

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