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Chinch Bugs are small insects, which live in and feed on lawn grasses. They live above the soil and feed on living grass plants by means of a piercing mouthpart called a stylet (similar to a mosquito). The insect inserts its stylet into the leaves, stems, or crowns and sucks the juices out of the plant. The damage looks quite similar to drought symptoms and many Weed Man customers mistakenly assume that the lawn needs only water to restore its lush green appearance.
To control an insect population we must understand its habits and its life cycle. Chinch Bugs survive the winter as adults seeking shelter from the cold and snow under shrubs, hedges and leaf litter. In the latter part of the spring (about the time the forsythia blooms fall or when Weed Man is treating your lawn for dandelions) they come out of hiding and venture into the lawn. Here they will mate and the females will seek a hot dry location in which to lay their eggs (usually a south-facing, sloping hillside). Chinch Bugs like hot dry locations.
The adult female will lay approximately 250 eggs in the lawn. In about 3 weeks time the eggs begin to hatch and the young Chinch Bugs (nymphs) begin feeding. Two or more generations can mature each season. The eggs are laid very close together so that when the eggs hatch and the young begin feeding, small patches of brownish-red grass begin to appear. If a homeowner ignores the problem or is unaware of it the patches get bigger as the insect matures and seeks food further a field. Chinch Bugs can totally ruin a lawn in 3 weeks if no control methods are taken.
Your Weed Man professional is a trained specialist. He or she can recognize the difference between a simple drought problem and a serious Chinch Bug infestation. Weed Man Lawn Care uses materials that are applied carefully and precisely at the correct time to be the most effective in controlling this serious lawn pest. But, we need your help. If you see suspicious brown patches starting to appear in the lawn, please do not hesitate to call. We will inspect your property FREE OF CHARGE! If you do have Chinch Bugs, we can protect your investment in your property by promptly treating the problem. If your brown patches are due to lack of water, we will advise you on correct watering procedures.