Bothered by chinch bugs? Here’s how to deal

It’s that time of year again when the clocks go forward, sunshine and higher temperatures are more consistent — welcome to Spring!

But we aren’t the only ones excited about spring. Turf pests tend to emerge when temperatures begin to rise consistently.

Let's shine a spotlight on the Chinch Bug. This benevolent pest loves to eat St. Augustine grass the most. They have piercing-sucking mouth parts that act like a straw to suck up plant fluids from the crowns, stems, and stolon of grasses. Their saliva causes yellowing, browning, and death to the turf. They feed year-round but are most active in the spring and summer when new generations emerge with more dry and sunny weather.

As an adult, they are around a quarter-inch long with black and white patches on the wings with a black body. The smaller younger generation (nymphs) feature reddish brown color with a white band across the back. So, they are a noticeable size. If you suspect them; part the grass where damage is present and wait for them to crawl past.

Another method is called the “coffee can method.” This is where you remove both ends of a coffee can, stick it in the infested area, and fill it with water until the bugs start to float to the top, this is a great method to identify the issue. On the other hand, an infestation would be very noticeable because it will be seen on sidewalks and driveways where drought stress can occur quickly. 

Chinch bugs prefer St. Augustine but will eat any type of turf in the right conditions — drought-stressed, sunny, and dry. That being said there are grass varieties like bitterblue, floratine, and seville that are somewhat resistant to damage from these pests.

Natural predators to the chinch bug are the big-eyed bug, earwigs, and anthocorids, as well as a small parasitic wasp that attacks the eggs. Anthocorids and the big-eyed bug look rather similar to the chinch bug in the adult stage, so be sure to properly identify the bugs before moving on to chemical treatments. You do not want to kill beneficial insects because they are present to help. 

Control with pesticides is a viable option for control of chinch bugs. Finding a pesticide that lists chinch bug control on the libel is the first step. Most of these products will be granular and require a broadcast application then watering in. Proper application should control the chinch bugs within eight to 10 weeks.

A great way to prevent chinch bugs is to maintain a healthy stand of turf by fertilizing at proper times, using proper mowing practices, watering your lawn as needed, and minimizing thatch accumulation. 

For more information on landscaping, contact Christine Jackson with UF/IFAS Extension in Osceola County at cjackson8@ufl.edu or call 321-697-3000 with any horticulture questions.