Concerned about a chinch bug infestation in your South Florida lawn? You should be–these nuisance pests can cause significant damage to an otherwise healthy lawn. If you suspect you’re dealing with a chinch bug infestation in your lawn, here’s everything you need to know, including the signs and symptoms of a chinch bug problem, and whether you can expect your grass to grow back after an infestation.
Chinch Bugs Can Do Serious Damage to Lawns
While browning, wilting grass can be caused by drought conditions, a chinch bug infestation can cause the same type of stress to your turf. At around 1/5-inch long, the tiny chinch bug pierces grass blades to ingest the nutritious fluids within.
Unfortunately, chinch bug saliva enters the grass and prevents moisture from moving throughout the blades’ internal vessels. As chinch bugs feast on your lawn, they do serious damage to the turf—and grass can only grow back if the infestation isn’t severe.
The Consequences of a Light Chinch Bug Infestation
The best way to deal with a chinch bug infestation is to catch it early. Light infestations are characterized by less than 15 chinch bugs in a 1-square-foot area. Even a small infestation can cause visible damage, and you’ll likely notice dead patches of lawn that look like brown puddles in your green turf.
After you work with Service Choice of Ft. Lauderdale to remove a light infestation, our lawn care technicians can typically restore damaged areas of turf. It may take several weeks to notice recovery as the chinch bugs’ toxic saliva works its way through the damaged grass.
Heavy Chinch Bug Infestations Cause Significant Damage
If you notice 20 to 25 chinch bugs in a 1-square-foot area, you’re dealing with a heavy chinch bug infestation in your lawn. Often, heavy infestations cause widespread yellowing or browning to the turf as it slowly dies. The turf usually can’t recover from this damage because the grass blades can’t produce energy as it’s dying. Without photosynthesis as a catalyst, no new growth is possible at both the root and blade level.
Service Choice of Ft. Lauderdale can treat a heavy chinch bug infestation and provide solutions to create a lush lawn once again. From re-seeding to sodding, we’ll restore your lawn in the best way possible for your situation.
Prevent Long-Term Damage to Your Lawn by Dealing With a Chinch Bug Infestation Right Away
If you notice areas of your lawn that look thin or discolored, it’s important to have a pest control professional inspect your lawn for chinch bugs. Early detection and treatment are key to protecting your lawn from serious damage.
The lawn care and pest control experts at Service Choice of Ft. Lauderdale are standing by to help. We’ll handle any chinch bug infestation you’re dealing with and provide effective strategies that restore your lawn to picture-perfect condition. Call us today at (954) 568-9955 for your free inspection and evaluation!