What is the best treatment for chinch bugs?

Products that provide satisfactory control of chinch bugs include those containing carbaryl or any of the pyrethroid insecticides, such as bifenthrin (some Scotts® and Ortho® brands), cyfluthrin (Bayer brands), lambda-cyhalothrin (Spectracide® brands) or permethrin (e.g., Green Light® and Spectracide®).

How do I get rid of chinch bugs in Florida?

Use a knife, shovel to dig out the edges around the can in the soil of the can so you can push the can down about 3 inches into the soil. With a garden hose fill the can with water continuously for five minutes. If you have chinch bugs they will float to the top of the water.

What grass do chinch bugs like?

There are two species of chinch bugs in the U.S.: Hairy Chinch Bugs: prefer northern turfgrasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fescues. Common Chinch Bugs: settle for turfgrasses, but favor grain crops such as corn and wheat.

What time of year do chinch bugs come out?

Chinch bugs overwinter in your lawn’s thatch and emerge with warm spring temperatures. Chinch bugs like heat, and by late spring or early summer, their populations will be very active. By mid-summer, adult female chinch bugs will have laid eggs for the year’s second population, which will hatch in late summer.

How often do you spray for chinch bugs?

every two months
PREVENTING CHINCH BUGS IN YOUR LAWN Preventing chinch bug damage before it happens is the key to maintaining a beautiful, green lawn throughout spring, summer and fall. When grass starts to turn green in the spring, apply Amdro Quick Kill Lawn Insect Killer Granules every two months.

What is the best time to spray for chinch bugs?

summer
Start on the edge and work your way in. Applying in early summer will help kill the active nymphs before they mature into adults. Chinch bugs mate quickly so the population can grow very fast. Killing them early will help prevent damage to your lawn later.

How do I repair my lawn after chinch bug?

1. Kill chinch bugs with broad-spectrum pesticide.
2. Try diatomaceous earth for a chemical-free alternative.
3. Reseed the spots left bare from chinch bug damage.
4. Dethatch your lawn annually to keep it healthy.
5. Cut no more than one-third of the grass blade when you mow.

How do you keep chinch bugs out of your yard?

Aerate the lawn in spring to reduce soil compaction. Remove thick layers of thatch (organic debris on the surface of the soil) in the fall. Keep in mind that some thatch may be needed to prevent winterkill in cold regions. Do not over-fertilize, since this will encourage greater insect activity.

How did my lawn get chinch bugs?

Too much nitrogen can increase chinch bug infestation and can cause other, larger problems such as fertilizer runoff. The best long-term approach to a healthy lawn (and trees and shrubs) is by maintaining healthy soil, regular irrigation, and proper mowing.

When should I treat for chinch bugs?

The damage from chinch bugs is greatest in July and early August. Right now is a good time to treat for both chinch bugs and grubs, because one application of the same insecticides (imidacloprid, clothianidin, or thiamethoxam) works very well for both pests.

Is chinch bug damage reversible?

Can the lawn damage from chinch bugs be reversed? After the bugs have been controlled, you may need to restore your lawn. This will improve the health of your lawn overall and fill in areas of turf that were killed by chinch bugs.

When should I put bug killer on my lawn?

Apply to lawns and around home foundations early in the spring or summer to prevent infestation. Otherwise, apply at the first sign of insect damage or activity. Applications can be made to ornamentals, flowers, and vegetable gardens just before planting or as plants emerge. Do not make applications in the rain.

How often should you spray your lawn for bugs?

Most people will find that inspections and treatments work best when scheduled every two to three months or at least once a season. Having a regular schedule helps prevent pest issues and can give you the chance to catch the problems before they spiral out of control.

What does chinch bug damage look like on grass?

Expanding, irregular patches of dead or stunted grass surrounded by a halo of yellowing, dying chinch bugs. These islands of dying grass tend to increase in size and merge as insect numbers increase. Damage can develop rapidly, especially in sunny locations during hot, dry weather (Figure 1).

What grasses do chinch bugs eat?

Hairy Chinch Bugs: prefer northern turfgrasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fescues. Common Chinch Bugs: settle for turfgrasses, but favor grain crops such as corn and wheat.

Are there chinch bugs in St Augustine grass?

Chinch Bugs in St. Augustine Lawns By: Michael E. Merchant and Dale A. Mott The southern chinch bug, Blissus insularis Barber, is one of the most important insect pests of St. Augustinegrass in Texas. It can be a problem anywhere St. Augustinegrass is grown, causing most damage in the Gulf Coast region and in the southern half of the state.

What is a southern chinch bug?

Mouthparts of the southern chinch bug consist of a long, slender beak, which is held close to the midline of the insect’s underside when the bug is not feeding. Chinch bug damage is probably due not just to the direct effects of feeding, but also to phytotoxic effects of the saliva. Managing this pest begins with proper lawn care.