If your lawn has dry or yellow patches during the summer months, even though you’ve been watering regularly, there’s a chance you may have Chinch Bugs.

These tiny insects live in the thatch layer above the soil and feed on blades of grass. They are most often found on south-facing slopes and in areas that receive full sun, and they tend to cause the most damage during July and August.

When they are young, Chinch Bugs have reddish-brown bodies, and as they mature, their color changes to black and white. They feed on living grass plants by means of a piercing mouthpart called a stylet (similar to mosquitoes). The insect inserts its stylet into the leaves, stems, and crowns to suck the juices out of the plant.

WHAT IS THE LIFE CYCLE OF A CHINCH BUG?

• Egg Stage: The life cycle of Chinch Bugs begins with the female Chinch Bug laying eggs in the soil or in the crevices of plant stems, usually in the spring or early summer. The eggs are small, about ½ mm in length (about the size of a pen tip), and are usually white in color.

• Nymph Stage: After about two weeks, the eggs hatch into nymphs, which are small, wingless insects. Nymphs go through five developmental stages, also known as instars, during which they molt and grow in size. During the nymph stage, Chinch Bugs are still small and have a reddish-orange color.

• Adult Stage: Once the nymphs reach their fifth and final instar, they molt one last time and emerge as adult Chinch Bugs. Adult Chinch Bugs are about 3-4 mm in length and have a black body with white wings. Adult Chinch Bugs can fly and mate. The females will lay more eggs, starting the life cycle all over again.

HOW CAN I CONTROL CHINCH BUGS IN MY LAWN?

Chinch Bugs can produce multiple generations per year, which means they can cause significant damage to lawns if left unchecked. A change in cultural practices can help deter these pests. However, once the lawn is infested, treatment may be necessary to eliminate the problem.

A thick, healthy, well-maintained lawn is always the best line of defense. This can be achieved through beneficial cultural practices, which include:

• Watering: Deep, infrequent watering goes a long way toward building a strong, healthy lawn. A good rule of thumb is to water each area for 30–45 minutes, twice a week. Early morning is best, since it gives the turf time to dry out before nightfall.

• Mowing: Keeping a consistent mowing schedule throughout the growing season helps your lawn stay thick and healthy. Aim to keep your grass between 6.5 and 9 cm tall. During the hottest weeks of summer, you can let it grow a bit longer (up to 10 cm) to help protect it from heat stress. Just be sure to never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing.

• Fertilizing: Regular applications of Weed Man’s specially formulated, slow-release granular fertilizer help ensure your lawn gets the nutrients it needs. These treatments are carefully timed to feed your lawn properly without the risk of over-fertilizing.

• Core Aeration: Core aeration is a great way to improve soil drainage and reduce the chances of insect infestations. It also helps relieve soil compaction, allowing water and nutrients to move deeper into the soil and reach the roots more effectively.

Your local Weed Man professional may be able to offer other solutions and recommend the best form of treatment that is available to improve the conditions of your lawn.