Lawns in Ohio are susceptible to many pests, one of which is the destructive chinch bug. Chinch bugs are small pests less than a centimeter in length when mature with dark bodies and white wings. They have piercing mouthparts that they use to suck out juices from the grass blades and inject a toxin that disrupts your lawn's ability to uptake and utilize water. Chinch bugs become most active in the summer season, when temperatures are hot. When they infest your lawn, call professionals immediately to schedule curative treatments. These treatments will eliminate the chinch bugs feeding on your lawn and wreaking havoc on it.

What are chinch bugs and what damage can they cause?

Young red chinch bugs on twigs in Columbus, OH.

Chinch bugs are invasive lawn pests that can be characterized by their tiny, gray-black bodies and white wings. They start their life with red bodies marked with a white X spot on the back but eventually change to a darker coloration as they mature. Even in adulthood, chinch bugs only reach up to 3.5 millimeters long. These lawn insects prefer hot and dry locations, which is why they are often found near sidewalks and driveways. They also live and move in groups, giving them the best opportunity to cause extensive damage in just a short amount of time.

Chinch bugs damage your lawn by drawing out essential plant juices from the grass blades with their piercing mouthparts, sucking the life out of your turf. As they feed on the grass blades, they will also inject a toxin that inhibits water from moving across your lawn, causing the blades to wither. The first signs of chinch bug damage resemble drought stress. You'll notice discolored patches of yellow or brown grass that, without prompt intervention, can die eventually.

An adult female chinch bug can lay up to 200 eggs in a span of 60 to 80 days!

When do chinch bugs become most active?

Chinch bugs love hot conditions. Because of this, they are most active in the summer season when temperatures are hot. You might see them moving across your lawn when daytime temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which typically occurs around July to September. The first generation of chinch bugs that hatched in late spring start to accelerate their feeding activity during this time because conditions are ideal for their growth. Most chinch bug damage becomes visible in the summer as well, so make sure to keep an eye out for their presence to keep these pests from causing more damage to your lawn which is already under stress from the hot summer temperatures.

What should you do if chinch bugs infest your lawn?

As soon as you notice signs of a chinch bug infestation on your lawn, the first thing you'll want to do is contact lawn care professionals immediately to schedule a curative treatment. A curative lawn insect control treatment is designed to stop problematic pests like chinch bugs in their tracks to keep them from wreaking more havoc on your lawn. When it comes to treating your lawn for chinch bugs, it's best to hire professionals because they can correctly identify the infestation and use the appropriate treatment to eliminate it.

If your lawn suffered extensive damage, you can enlist our lawn care services like lawn fertilization, aeration, and overseeding to nurse it back to health.

Call us today to sign up for our chinch bug control service!

Chinch bugs are a pesky nuisance to your lawn, but we can get rid of them with our chinch bug control service! We offer this service to commercial and residential properties, as well as HOAs, in Columbus, Westerville, Lewis Center, OH, and nearby areas. Our team has 21 years of experience helping lawns reach their full potential through consistent nourishment and top-notch protection against pests. Give us a call today at (888) 421-0601 to sign up for our chinch bug control service!