SERVICES
CHINCH BUG CONTROL
Chinch bugs are very small surface feeding insects that live in the thatch layer of the lawn where they feed on the grass and can cause extensive damage in a very short time.
They insert their piercing mouth stylet into the grass leaf blades and suck the juices out causing the grass to turn brown and die.
Damage commonly occurs during the dry, hot summer months when chinch bugs actively feed. The damage they cause looks very similar to heat and drought stress. Chinch bugs can be a source of frustration for homeowners because they are so difficult to detect. If a chinch infestation goes undetected and is left untreated, the damage can be permanent and may require lawn repair in the way of overseeding.
Promptly treating potentially devastating Chinch bug infestations can help protect the investment you have made in your lawn. Chinch bug control applications are designed to effectively target the nymphal life stage of the insect when they are most vulnerable, actively feeding and causing damage.
Improving your cultural practices and repairing any existing damage is key to overcoming a chinch bug problem.
If you notice suspicious brown patches starting to appear on your lawn and you are not sure about the cause, speak to one of our expert lawn care technicians.
Cultural Practices can help reduce susceptibility to chinch bugs:
When possible, water your lawn to provide supplemental water during summer drought stress. This promotes a healthier turfgrass that can better tolerate chinch bug activity
Fertilization helps provide more energy to the grass plant to help withstand chinch bug activity and promote recovery during these stressful events. Be careful not to over-fertilize as this can also attract more chinch bugs
Overseeding more resistant endophyte grass species into your lawn can help mitigate the damage of chinch bugs. Turfgrasses of the same cultivar with no admixture of other species are more susceptible to insects and diseases