Chinch bug image credit: University of Georgia
Chinch bugs are insects that can be found throughout Texas. These lawn pests can really mess with your curb appeal. In fact, if left untreated, chinch bug damage can destroy your lawn, leaving only a trail of dead patches in their wake. Homeowners often mistake these damaged areas and brown patches for lawn disease, so it is important to pay attention if something in your lawn looks off.
What do signs of chinch bug damage look like?
In Texas, with our often hot and dry climate, chinch bug damage is often mistaken for drought damage. The grass becomes wilted and yellow or brown before it dries out completely and dies. Damage usually occurs in patches, as well as around driveways or sidewalks.
A regular lawn care program can help with chinch bug control.
One of the best ways to keep southern chinch bugs at bay is to make your lawn a place they don’t like to hang out. A healthy lawn is no place for a chinch bug to call home.
Practice regular lawn aeration and dethatching. This helps to break up the thatch layer and any dead grass, where chinch bugs love to hide.
Practice proper mowing techniques and mow your lawn on a regular schedule. When you mow, you should only be removing one-third of the grass blade, this prevents damage and drought stress. A healthy lawn is no place for a chinch bug to call home.
Think you already have a chinch bug infestation?
Insecticides are the best way to get rid of them. You can find store-bought treatments at your local big-box store, but beware – they can do more harm than good if applied incorrectly. The last thing you want to do is further damage your lawn.
Leave the chinch bug population to the professionals. At Lawn Tech, our lawn pest control program helps prevent chinch bugs before they invade. If you already have a problem, we can identify it and come up with a treatment plan that will mitigate lawn damage and make your chinch bug problems a thing of the past.
Here’s the best way to help your lawn recover from a chinch bug problem…
After your lawn has been treated and the pests are gone, the grass plants will need some time to recover. First, you can reseed your lawn to fill in any dead patches. Choose a grass seed that will work well for your lawn. Following seeding, be sure to schedule lawn aeration and a fertilization treatment, and then repeat the proper watering and mowing techniques mentioned above.
Need help? Have questions? Ready to start a regular lawn care program and be on your way to beautiful green grass minus the invasive insects? Give us a call. We are Helping Happy Grow in Prosper and throughout North Texas.