5+ chinch bugs per can: a serious infestation. Continue to the next step for treatment. 2–4 chinch bugs per can: low-level infestation. Improve lawn health and test again later. Treat immediately if your lawn is in poor health. 0–1 chinch bug per can: no treatment necessary. If your lawn is in poor health, there is probably another cause. Alternatively, you might also take a close look at the lawn with a magnifying glass.
Rake the lawn vigorously for 2 ft (60 cm) on all sides of the damaged area, toward the center. Vacuum the damaged area and surroundings. Water thoroughly.
This method also works best if you catch the infestation early and use it to target small areas of lawn. If you have hard water in your area, the soap may fail to mix in, leaving a scum on the surface after the water settles. If this happens, make a new mix using distilled or bottled water instead. [6] X Research source Using a commercial insecticidal soap for chinch bugs is not legal in Canada, although this may just be an oversight. Homemade soap treatments are allowed. [7] X Research source Any soap can cause damage to aquatic life. Do not apply it where the water could run off into a storm drain.
Try to avoid getting the soap in contact with nearby plants. Some trees and flowers are particularly vulnerable to soap damage, especially during times of drought. [9] X Research source If you’re concerned about potential damage, test a corner of your lawn first and check on it after 24 hours.
You may want to check your soil pH after treatment is finished, since soap is alkaline.
These predators look very similar to chinch bugs. They tend to be smaller and faster, with larger eyes. [13] X Research source If you’re still seeing a lot of chinch bugs but your lawn seems healthy, you might be misidentifying this predator species.
Beneficial nematodes (roundworms) may also help. These are proven to control grubs, though there aren’t yet studies on their effectiveness for chinch bugs. You can buy beneficial nematodes at many home and garden stores.
Some essential oils such as rosemary, lemongrass, cinnamon, or citrus oils can also help, but have not been studied as thoroughly. [16] X Research source Dilute about 20 drops of oil in 1 gallon (3. 8 L) of water, then spray onto your lawn. [17] X Research source
Use garden-grade or food-grade DE only. Swimming pool grade DE is a more significant respiratory hazard. Non-heated DE containing less than one percent crystalline silica is the safest option. [19] X Research source Try applying DE with a bulb applicator. This will reduce the risk of getting the dust in your eyes, nose, and mouth. Apply DE to wet grass, as well, either after it rains or you’ve watered the lawn. This ensures that the small particles stick to the grass.
Too much water can backfire and make the problem worse, especially with hair chinch bug infestations (found mostly in the northern US and Canada). If you think your lawn is too wet, delay watering until the grass edges just begin to curl. [21] X Research source Moist conditions also encourage naturally occurring Beauveria fungus, a parasite that kills chinch bugs.
St. Augustine grass, the southern chinch bug’s favorite food, has excellent shade tolerance. It should thrive under a 30% shade cloth.
To reduce stress on your grass, use a sharp lawn mower blade and remove no more than ⅓ of the grass blade each mowing. [23] X Research source
This is especially important in fall, to reduce areas where chinch bugs can overwinter. [24] X Trustworthy Source Missouri Botanical Garden Oldest botanical garden in the U. S. and center for botanical research and science education Go to source
You can probably add significantly less fertilizer than the label recommends without causing harm. Try this, and increase the amount again if the grass turns light green.
False chinch bugs are most common west of the Mississippi in dry regions, but can be found throughout the United States, southern Canada, Mexico, and the West Indies. [29] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
For best results, send a soil sample to a soil testing laboratory to find out the exact nutrients your soil is missing.
