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How harmful are chinch bugs?
The damage caused by chinch bugs appears quickly in hot weather. With most of the damage in open, sunny areas, this may be mistaken for drought damage. The grass may turn brown and die if feeding continues unchecked, and a severe infestation of chinch bugs can destroy an entire lawn.
Are chinch bugs bad for grass?
Since chinch bugs feed on and kill the grass, a homeowner’s first sign of chinch bugs is usually the appearance of round yellow or dying patches of grass in their lawn. As their host plant dies, chinch bugs move to neighboring grass plants to continue feeding creating dead patches that get larger over time.
What is the best treatment for chinch bugs?
- Kill chinch bugs with broad-spectrum pesticide.
- Try diatomaceous earth for a chemical-free alternative.
- Reseed the spots left bare from chinch bug damage.
- Dethatch your lawn annually to keep it healthy.
- Cut no more than one-third of the grass blade when you mow.
Can grass recover from chinch bugs?
Plant damage results not only from withdrawal of sap, but from chinch bug saliva, which contain substances toxic to the plant. Drought or heat stress may cause similar browning of turf, but proper watering will quickly rejuvenate the lawn. Turf injured by chinch bugs will not recover as quickly.
How long do chinch bugs last?
Adults live an average of 50 days.
How do I repair my lawn after chinch bugs?
The first thing that is recommended for fixing lawn up after a chinch bug infestation or just to clean up your lawn before winter comes is soil aeration. Soil aeration basically pokes a bunch of little holes in your lawn and turns the earth a little bit, as not to disturb your grass.
What causes chinch bugs in lawns?
According to Health Canada, chinch bugs are attracted to lawns with excess nitrogen. If you’re going to use a fertilizer, don’t overdo it, and look for one that’s low in nitrogen.
Will my lawn recover from chinch bug damage?
Recovery From Damage Slightly damaged turf will recover rather quickly if lightly fertilized and watered regularly. Heavily infested lawns may have significant plant mortality because of the toxic effect of chinch bug saliva and reseeding will be necessary.
What do chinch bugs do to your lawn?
Lawns affected by chinch bugs are often confused with lawns suffering from drought. Chinch bugs use their piercing mouthparts to suck moisture from grass blades, then inject a poison into the blades that interrupts water movement within the grass, causing the grass to die. In the early stages of chinch bug damage, grass will begin to yellow.
How can I tell if I have chinch bugs?
One way to tell if you have chinch bugs and not drought is if the grass does not green up after it has been watered. If your grass remains dead, you might have chinch bugs. When and Where Do Chinch Bugs Thrive? Chinch bugs thrive in the southern United States and prefer St. Augustine and zoysia grasses.
What kind of bugs are in my lawn?
Print Article. Overview. Chinch bugs are tiny bugs that can cause major damage to your lawn by sucking your grass blades dry and injecting them with poison. If you suspect you have chinch bugs, read this guide to learn how to find chinch bugs in your yard.
What to do about chinch bugs in St Augustine grass?
Applying excessive fertilizer also enhances thatch formation and makes the grass more attractive as a food source for chinch bugs. No more than 3 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet should be applied each year to St. Augustinegrass in sunny locations.