CHINCH BUG IDENTIFICATION & PREVENTION

(Blissus leucopterus

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What are chinch bugs?

A lawn and garden pest, the chinch bug thrives in the Texas heat and is a common problem for property owners in Tarrant County. Adult chinch bugs are small, around three-sixteenths of an inch, and have black or dark brown bodies and fully developed wings. The wings are frosty-white except for a distinctive triangular black marking at the middle edge of the wings. Newly hatched nymphs are an orange-red color with a pale band traveling across the abdomen.

A small insect, possibly a Chinch Bug, is sitting on top of a leaf in Tarrant County.

Are chinch bugs dangerous?

Chinch bugs are a serious pest to contend with, especially if they are on your property in large numbers. St. Augustine grass is the primary host or food source for chinch bugs, but they will also feed on and damage other grass, trees, and plants as well. Using their sucking mouthparts, they remove sap from the plant and inject it with a toxin that prevents the plant from transporting water and nutrients from the soil. A lawn infested with chinch bugs will have large patches of yellow or dead grass.

Why do I have a chinch bug problem?

Chinch bugs are on your Arlington property because it is offering them a source of food. Some of their favorite food sources include:

St. Augustine grass
Bunch and turf grasses
Weeds
Corn, rice, wheat, and other crops

Where will I find chinch bugs?

Chinch bugs live in a variety of locations, including our yards and crop fields. Open sunny areas tend to be the most affected by these pests. In Texas, these pests are most active in the summer when the weather is hot and dry. During the cooler winter months, the adults become inactive and do not feed.

How do I get rid of chinch bugs?

Lawn pests like chinch bugs are frustrating to deal with and can quickly turn our lawns from green and healthy to brown and unsightly. At Trees Hurt Too, we will work with you to eliminate chinch bugs from your yard and implement the services necessary to prevent their return. Using eco friendly products, our licensed plant health care professionals will take back your yard from damaging chinch bugs.

Tree Hurt Too, Inc., is a locally owned and operated company, and we have a deep understanding of the lawn care needs of home and business owners located in Tarrant County, TX. To learn more about our lawn care packages, give us a call today, and speak with one of our helpful professionals!

How can I prevent chinch bugs in the future?

Limit the chances of your yard becoming a home to chinch bugs with the following prevention tips.

Make sure your lawn is well irrigated and aerated. Chinch bugs prefer dry soil; keeping the soil in your yard damp goes a long way in preventing problems with chinch bugs.
Don’t mow your property’s grass too short.
Remove thatch (dead grass and weeds) from your yard.
Make sure your grass is maintained and properly fertilized. Over-fertilizing your lawn will attract chinch bugs.