Hairy Chinch Bug (Blissus Leucopterus Hirtus)

What do they look like?

These tiny orange and black guests are no treat for your lawn. Their Halloween coloring is a dead giveaway that your lawn has something unwanted living in it. Not even 1/16-of-an-inch wide, they feed on your lawn whether they're in immature nymph form, or full-grown, full-color, full-time pest form.

How do we know we've got them?

You might think the brown patches mean your lawn isn't getting enough water. And if your lawn responds to the right moisture adjustment, you're right. If they persist, however, those dry-looking patches might mean hairy chinch bugs have set in. Take a can, cut both ends out and then hammer it into the ground halfway. Fill the can with water and keep filling so it stays full for about 20 minutes. You'll see the spooky-colored critters floating to the top if they're there. They enjoy all cool-season grasses and Zoysia grass to boot.

How do they damage our lawns?

Hairy chinch bugs have a fierce little mouth that can pierce grass stems. They suck out the vital juices (hence the onset of brown patches). But that's not enough for them; they have to replace the juices they feast on with toxins that harm the plant. Hairy chinch bug is not a very gracious guest, just a very real pest.

How do we get rid of them?

Hairy chinch bugs love a nice thatchy lawn, so keep up your core cultivation and mowing to minimize their favorite conditions. Using insecticide after the first sign of them can help prevent further damage, but don't use insecticides in the spring, as you might kill off natural insect predators that are actually good for your grass. Lawns of Tall fescue or Perennial ryegrass might be resistant to hairy chinch bugs, depending on variety.