What do they look like?
Looking, for all intents, like the hairy chinch bug, this Southern cousin has the same Halloween coloring, minuscule dimensions, and big appetite for taking the juice right out of a healthy lawn.
How do we know we've got them?
Use the double open-ended can trick, which works so well in detecting hairy chinch bugs. Make sure you water for at least 20 minutes to ensure a thorough test. Take extra care if you have St. Augustine grass; that means your lawn is the favorite food of the Southern chinch bug.
How do they damage our lawns?
With all the charm of a mosquito, these bugs attach themselves to a grass stem with a tiny, extended mouth, then proceed to suck out the vital fluids just like the hairy chinch bug. It's too bad your lawn can't simply swat them.
How do we get rid of them?
Southern chinch bugs thrive in thatchy St. Augustine lawns, so it is essential that you core cultivate, dethatch, and vertical mow to control. Keep your watering and fertilizing to a necessary minimum as well — this will keep thatch down. You also can apply an insecticide after the first sign of their effects to prevent further damage. If you have to replace parts of the lawn that have fallen prey, look into varieties of St. Augustine grass that have shown some moderate resistance to Southern chinch bug.
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