Chinch Bugs

Chinch bugs love the heat of the Florida climate and prefer sunny areas.

Chich bugs damage grass by feeding on the plant juices through a needle-shaped beak causing lawns to develop yellow and brown patches.

Chinch bug eggs begin to hatch in Florida during early spring and continuing well into summer.

Eggs hatch in 10 days and the young develop into adults in as little as 3 weeks. Although chinch bugs are most commonly found feeding on St. Augustine grass, they will infest other grass species.

The nymphs start out red in color changing to orange as they begin to mature. They molt 5 times before reaching adulthood. An adult chinch bug is about 1/5 inches long and has black a body with white wings.

Chinch bugs can produce 7 generations in a year. The time frame from hatching to maturity is about 3 weeks. One female chinch bug can lay up to 500 eggs.

Infested areas usually start along drive ways,sidewalks, and other concrete edges where its is warmest. Frequent application of nitrogen fertilizers can cause St Augustine grass to be more susceptible to chinch bug invasion.

Diligent lawn mowing keeping St. Augustine grass at a height of 3 to 4 inches will not only give better appearance but will make the grass more tolerant toward chinch bugs.

Problems are usually noticed first along concrete edges or in areas without adequate moisture receiving full sun.

Treatment for Chinch Bugs

Professional lawn spraying is the best solution for controlling chinch bugs.

There are a number of products on the market that will kill chinch bugs at various stages of the life cycle including the eggs. Granulated insecticides are usually the most effective for long term results for the do-it-yourself soulution.