Chinch Bug Identification & Prevention

What are chinch bugs?

Chinch bugs are small and often difficult to see. These insects invade lawns. They only grow to about 1/16 of an inch in size, and younger ones are red in color, while adult chinch bugs are black with a white marking on their backs. Chinch bug damage is typically confused with drought damage, as these pests thrive in hot, dry environments and feed on the lawns they infest.

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Are chinch bugs dangerous?

While chinch bugs aren’t dangerous to humans, as they don’t carry diseases or pose health risks, they are detrimental to the health of your lawn. A chinch bug infestation that is feeding on your lawn damages blades of grass and leaves behind dried, dead grass. They do this by sucking the moisture out of grass and injecting venom into the blade; brown patches of grass that look drought-stricken are the result.

Not only does chinch bug feeding ruin the health of your grass and other outdoor plants, but it also leaves your lawn looking less than pleasing and requiring potentially costly treatments to fix.

Why do I have a chinch bug problem?

Chinch bugs are generally attracted to lawns with piles of debris everywhere, hot, dry conditions, and areas with excess nitrogen due to fertilizer issues. A major part of chinch bug control is understanding which factors are attracting these pests and taking steps to remove them.

Where will I find chinch bugs?

You will find chinch bugs hiding in your lawn, in piles of mulch or debris, or near outdoor plants. It’s typically hard to see chinch bugs when they move onto your property due to their small size. If you have concerns about whether or not you are dealing with these pests, contact Southern Home & Outdoor Services for chinch bug identification.

How do I get rid of chinch bugs?

Professional home pest control is the best way to eliminate these insects and ensure your lawn stays healthy. Our professional pest control services in Melbourne, FL, will help identify the presence of chinch bugs on your property before working to provide solutions tailored to your lawn’s specific needs. When you count on us, you can rest assured that your outdoor areas will be safe from the destruction a chinch bug infestation causes.

Request your free inspection today to get started.

How can I prevent chinch bugs in the future?

Prevent chinch bugs in the future by following these helpful tips that make your property less hospitable to these pests:

Ensure your lawn is trimmed regularly at the maximum recommended height to keep it healthy and deter chinch bugs from settling in the grass.
Fertilize outdoor areas properly in order to avoid excess nitrogen from entering the soil, something that easily attracts chinch bug infestations.
Aerate the soil of your lawn to keep it healthy.
Water your lawn regularly and an appropriate amount to prevent the dry conditions that chinch bugs are attracted to.
Remove thatch and piles of debris from your lawn, as chinch bugs love to hide in these areas.

For more information on chinch bug prevention or for assistance defeating an infestation of these pests, contact Southern Home & Outdoor Services today. Our team will help you remove this pest and protect your lawn’s health, no matter what.