Insecticide For Chinch Bugs

In the fall, homeowners and commercial growers notice distressed turf and sometimes large patches of dead vegetation. The damage is caused by chinch bugs and it reduces the aesthetic value of turfgrass. Although the damage occurs in late summer and early fall when grasses are easily stressed because of hot, dry weather, chinch bugs can also attack healthy turf that’s growing under good growing conditions. Chinch bug injury is usually wide-spread and severe in lawns growing on sites with high organic matter or that are not irrigated enough to maintain proper moisture throughout the warm season. Chinch bug injury may also be observed in situations where there is a high degree of competition between cool-season turfgrasses and warm-season broadleaf weeds.

Insecticide For Chinch Bugs

Chinch bugs are attacked by many predatory and parasitic insects. Examples include big-eyed bugs (in the genus Geocoris), minute pirate bugs (genus Xylocoris), spiders, wasps and ants. Repeated insecticide applications can reduce populations of these predators and actually increase chinch bug numbers. To preserve beneficial insects, apply insecticides only when necessary.

New varieties of insect-pathogenic fungi are currently being selected and tested for chinch bug control. For example, Beauveria bassiana has shown potential for controlling many pests. Currently, however, there are no consistently effective fungal controls for chinch bugs. Likewise, beneficial nematodes have provided inconsistent results when used on these pests. For homeowners who want to avoid using any chemicals on their lawn, however, these products may provide some control.

Chemical Control

Good cultural practices include water and fertility management, and thatch control. They dramatically reduce the need for insecticides to control chinch bugs. However, when dead and dying zones of turfgrass have chinch bugs, some corrective action is needed. While chemical insecticides can rapidly reduce chinch bugs when used according to label directions, most labeled materials do not last long and may require repeat application.

First determine whether a problem truly exists when considering pesticides for chinch bug control. If your neighborhood is prone to chinch bug problems, inspect your lawn weekly during the spring, summer and fall. Look for off-color areas, especially in direct sun, and along sidewalks and driveways. When there are numerous chinch bugs, they will cause grass to yellow. You can often find them by parting the grass at the edge of affected areas and by examining the soil and base of the turf. (See “Tips for Professionals” on page 5.) You should check areas with suspected infestations several times. When chinch bugs are numerous, you might see them on leaves or scurrying about on adjacent sidewalks during the day.

Insecticides can prevent further injury when chinch bugs are abundant enough to cause visible damage. A variety of liquid and granular insecticides is available for chinch bug control. Granular insecticides can be applied with a standard fertilizer spreader and irrigated lightly (⅛ – to ¼ -inch of water) to activate the insecticide. Drop-type spreaders are good for keeping insecticide granules from scattering into gutters, sidewalks and driveways. There they can be washed into storm drains and streams which is why you should sweep up and properly reapply any granules landing in such sites.

Liquid sprays are usually applied using a hose-end sprayer that can apply 15 to 20 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet. To ensure even coverage, spray back and forth across the same area. Watering the lawn before application can help the pesticide penetrate the turf, but irrigation is not recommended following application of liquid insecticides.

Use spot treatments where chinch bugs are restricted to isolated areas of the lawn. Treat the off-color turf and all surrounding infested areas. Inspect the site every 3 to 5 days for at least 2 weeks to determine if the infestation is under control. Spot treatments help prevent environmental contamination. They also minimize the impact of pesticides on beneficial insects.

Products that provide satisfactory control of chinch bugs include those containing carbaryl or any of the pyrethroid insecticides, such as bifenthrin (some Scotts® and Ortho® brands), cyfluthrin (Bayer brands), lambda-cyhalothrin (Spectracide® brands) or permethrin (e.g., Green Light® and Spectracide®). Resistance to the insecticide bifenthrin has been identified among southern chinch bugs in parts of Florida, but has not yet become a problem in Texas.

Safety Precautions

Always wear appropriate clothing when applying pesticides. For example, use unlined, chemical-resistant gloves whenever mixing liquid pesticides. Allow treated areas to dry thoroughly before permitting people or pets to walk or play on them. In addition, always check the label for information concerning safe re-entry times as well as what protective clothing should be worn. Minimal protective clothing includes long pants, shirt, shoes and socks.

Insecticide For Chinch Bugs

Chinch bugs are small insects that can cause serious damage to your lawns and gardens. They feed on plant roots, causing the plants to wither and die. Chinch bugs also carry a disease called “fungus leaf spot” that can infect and kill ornamental plants.

There are many different brands of insecticides available for chinch bugs. Some of these products are organic and others are not. There is no one specific brand or type of product that is best for killing chinch bugs in your garden or lawn, so it’s important to choose what works best for your needs.

List Of Insecticide For Chinch Bugs