Chinch bugs live on the surface of the soil and feed on grass. They pierce the grass blade, stem or crown, inject toxic saliva, then suck the sap out of the plant. A lawn damaged by chinch bugs will have a patchy, brown, sunken appearance. Damage looks similar to the dormancy caused by drought but watering does not bring the grass back to its normal green condition. These insects are blood-red as nymphs, red and black with a white stripe across their back as adolescents, and black and white with wings as adults. They are very tiny. Chinch bugs actively feed on lawns during the hottest part of the summer and can cause serious damage in a few days and devastate an entire lawn in a few weeks.

Life Cycle:
Chinch bugs survive the winter as adults, seeking shelter from cold and snow under hedges, shrubs and leaves. In late spring they come out of hiding to mate and lay eggs. Each adult female lays about 250 eggs, which hatch after about three weeks. When the eggs hatch the young nymphs begin feeding and cause noticeable damage immediately. After the first generation, it is possible that two or more generations will be born and mature each year.

Control:
It is very important to diagnose and control Chinch bugs quickly. Call Kendall Lawn Care as soon as you notice a problem and we will accurately diagnose the problem, provide a quote, and treat the condition before it gets any worse.