Chinch Bug
Easy DIY
Identification
Small black-and-white true bugs that feed on grass at the soil line, causing irregular yellow-brown patches in lawns that are often mistaken for drought stress.
Can I DIY this?
Easy DIYYou can handle this one yourself.
With the right product and a little patience, most homeowners take care of this pest on their own. Follow the treatment guide, read the product label, and you're set.
Recommended products
Control Solutions Bifen L/P Insecticide Granules, 25 lbsLawn broadcast granulesSyngenta Demand CS Insecticide, 8ozHot-spot lawn spraySome links may be affiliate links. Buggsy may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Always follow the product label.
- Check the edge between healthy and yellowing/browning turf, at the soil line — that's where chinch bugs feed, and the damage is often mistaken for drought stress.
- Improve lawn irrigation, since stressed, drought-prone turf is far more vulnerable to chinch bug damage.
- Apply a lawn insecticide labeled for chinch bugs, watering it in lightly per the label to move it down to the soil line where the bugs feed.
- Dethatch heavily thatched lawns, since thick thatch is where chinch bugs shelter and breed.
- Recheck the damaged area in 1-2 weeks to confirm the treatment stopped the spread.
Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. Add a respirator if the label calls for it or ventilation is poor.