How to Kill Chinch Bugs in My Floratam Grass

Texas A&M and the University of Florida introduced the St. Augustinegrass cultivar "Floratam" in 1973 as a chinch bug-resistant variety. Within a span of 10 years, the chinch bugs had adapted to the new cultivar and were causing problems once again. Symptoms of a chinch bug infestation include irregular patches of yellow and brown dead or dying grass. These patches spread as the bugs feed. Proper watering and fertilizing habits limit chinch bug infestations, but once a population is established, treat the lawn chemically to remove it.

Insecticide containing diazinon, chlorpyrifos, acephate or permethrin
Garden hose
Lawn mower
Slow-release fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect the yellow or brown lawn areas to confirm that chinch bugs are present. Adult chinch bugs have black 1/6- to 1/5-inch-long bodies with white wings. Immature bugs are yellow or red and wingless with a stripe across their bodies.
- 2
  Apply granular insecticides with a spreader, or liquid insecticides with a garden hose. Evenly spread the insecticide over the affected areas of the lawn, fully covering the dead and dying grass, as well as a few inches of green grass surrounding the area.
- 3
  Inspect the grass again after a two-week period to verify that the chinch bugs are gone. If the bugs are still present, treat the area again with a product containing a different active ingredient than the product first used.
- 4
  Mow the grass and apply a slow-release fertilizer after the chinch bugs are gone. Water the grass after fertilizing and any time that the blades begin to wilt.

What Are Brown Spots on Monkey Grass?

Shade-Loving Climbing Vines

Groundcovers & Vines