Combating Chinch Bugs in St. Augustine Grass
Chinch bugs are the nemesis of Florida homeowners who want to achieve a lush, green lawn. This is especially true for homeowners with St. Augustine sod. Chinch bugs invade St. Augustine grass and quickly cause widespread damage if they’re not stopped in their tracks. Here’s what you need to know about these elusive pests and how to stop them. What Is the Chinch Bug? Is your grass turning yellow or reddish-brown? If so, it could be under attack by chinch bugs. These incredibly tiny bugs are difficult to spot, but the damage they cause is obvious. Chinch bugs only measure about ⅕” long with black bodies and white wings across their backs. Unfortunately, they view your lawn as their dinner, so even if you cut, water, and fertilize your sod exactly as you should, chinch bugs can still cause trouble. They will suck your grass blades dry and inject a poison that kills the blades. This tends to cause damage in patches that end up looking like they are suffering from drought. A professional pest control service is the best way to stop chinch bugs in their tracks.